NEWS PROM PARTNERS
Utkal University's
Strides in Campus Diversity Initiative

Campus Diversity Initiative project was initiated in Orissa in 1995 when MPC College, Baripada, was chosen along with 22 other colleges in the country. The College is situated in a tribal district of the state and did a commendable job. When universities were inducted into the project, Utkal University staked its claim and joined the select club of five universities that were chosen among the CDI university grantees. The major thrust of the project was curriculum intervention for the management of diversity.

Utkal University identified four distinct cultural traits within the jurisdiction of the university. They are: Buddhist Culture, Mughal Tamasha, Mahima Cult, and Communal Harmony through Synthesis. For this, four groups of colleges were identified. These colleges along with co-opted institutions in the region were assigned specific work of initiating a dialogue among members of the campus and the community. This is encouraged with the intention of building a common platform for both the college and the community for appreciation of diversity and local identity. A proposal was also drafted to introduce a special course for this purpose at the university level. The students are encouraged to study and disseminate the rich culture, art, and heritage of Orissa. A three stage activity plan was chalked out:

i. Identifying specialists for formulation of the syllabus and organising workshop for understanding the syllabus having both all India and regional thrust.

ii. Organise writers' workshop and presentation sessions for the production of written material for the approved course.

iii.Organise regular seminars at the regional level highlighting the cultural heritage of Orissa.

The CDI project offered the university for the first time to go beyond the classroom and provided opportunity to look into the existing curriculum recommend changes and modifications with the vision that a majority of issues of diversity are addressed therein. This initiative by the Utkal University has even motivated other universities state to think about the restructuring of their c to incorporate the concerns of diversity. About workshops and interface programs were held during 1999 - 2000 involving academics and Academic Councils of the Universities, so that the restructured courses can be made operational from the academic year 2001 - 2002. So far, the university could generate a lot of awareness among affiliating colleges at Campus Diversity Initiative project.

Besides curricular intervention, the university has also organised the National Integration Camp, Winter Festival, Cultural Festival, Theatre Workshops, Cultural Exchange programs, Heritage Tours, and several competitions among the students in order to mobilise them for the program. The CDI Project has helped the university to establish and revitalise a Museum, Audio-visual Centre, Diversity Resources Centre. These institutional structures help the future generations of students and sustain the campaign to promote understanding of the rich diversity of the region.

Other key activities under CDI include faculty development workshops, personality development for the students, capacity building for the non-teaching staff, empowerment of women, legal awareness, human rights awareness and promotion, value education, and sustainable development. ERC has helped the university to organise faculty works and created a group of trainers for the workshops students, teachers, and non-teaching staff of the colleges under the university jurisdiction.

The CDI activities are extended till the end year 2001, by which time the university completes its three-year project period and the Ford Foundation support for the program ceases. But, the university will continue to embark upon the path shown by the CDI for years to come and sensitise thousands of students turning out of the campus each year.

FAREWELL TO PROF.G.DAS The CDI family will miss Prof.G.Das, Vice-chancellor of Utkal University, who retired from office on October 8, 2001. During his three year tenure, he supported and ensured the success of CDI programs in Utkal University. It is heartening to note that Prof.Das took personal interest and attended all the events organise by the CDI unit on the Campus. ERC wishes him a happy and a healthy post- retirement life.