Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University, Baripada, Odisha, India

Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University (ex‑North Orissa University), Baripada – Catalyst for Education & Tribal Empowerment in North Odisha

Introduction

Set amid the tribal heartlands of northern Odisha, North Orissa University, renamed in 2020 as Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University, serves as a beacon of higher learning for Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts. Since its founding in 1998, the university has promoted accessible education, research, and regional development. From anchoring humanities and sciences to cultivating vocational, tribal‑focused and professional programmes, it melds inclusive outreach with academic endeavour to uplift a predominantly tribal demographic.

1. Establishment & History

• Founded on 13 July 1998, under Government of Odisha notification, as part of the Orissa University Act of 1989 (Odisha History).
• Recognized under UGC Sections 2(f) & 12(B) (effective from February 2000 and June 2006) (Odisha History).
• In December 2020, it was renamed Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University (MSCB University), honoring the historic Mayurbhanj ruler (Wikipedia).
• Serves as the affiliating university for Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, with a high tribal population (over 60 %) and around 80–103 affiliated colleges (Odisha History).

2. Affiliations & Accreditation

• Recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC), Bar Council of India (for law), and IGNOU/DEB. It is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities (Odisha History).
• Accredited by NAAC with Grade B in 2011, upgraded to Grade A (CGPA 3.1) in the third assessment cycle (Odisha History).

3. Academic Structure & Courses Offered

3.1 Undergraduate & Diploma Courses

The university offers traditional and professional UG courses:

• B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., covering disciplines like Economics, History, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Wildlife Conservation, etc. (Shiksha Bharats).
• Professional UG: B.Ed‑M.Ed integrated programmes, vocational diplomas in Tribal Studies, Computer Applications and Medicinal Plants (Shiksha Bharats).

3.2 Postgraduate & Doctoral Studies

• M.A., M.Sc., MBA, MCA, MSW, M.L.I.Sc., plus specialized MSc in Wildlife & Biodiversity, Mathematics, Remote Sensing & GIS, Tribal Studies, and more (Better Study).
• Research programmes include M.Phil. and Ph.D., with Pre‑Ph.D. courses in subjects like Economics, Physics, Sanskrit, Computer Science, Education, Law and more (Better Study, Shiksha Bharats).

3.3 Modes of Study

• Offers full-time and part-time study, distance education through DEB/IGNOU, and vocational/diploma modules (Wikipedia, Shiksha Bharats).

4. Campus & Facilities

4.1 Location & Size

• Situated at Takatpur, Baripada, on a campus of approximately 98.84 acres (UniversityKart).

4.2 Infrastructure Highlights

• Central Library with around 23,880 books, subscriptions to ~75 journals and 24 magazines; digitisation and automation in progress (Shiksha Bharats).
• IT Centre with over 50 desktop computers and labs across departments—total computing systems around 250, supported by fiber‑optic 1 Gbps internet connectivity (Shiksha Bharats).
• Hostels: Separate accommodation for boys and girls, monitored with security and CCTV; access to RO water and backup power (Study Jankari).
• Other amenities: On-campus bank branch, medical centre with physician on call, sports grounds for cricket/football, indoor games, cafeteria, auditorium, cultural and recreational spaces (Study Jankari).

5. Academic Excellence & Research Activities

5.1 Research Focus & Output

• EduRank (2025) ranks the university at #313 in India, #13 in Odisha, with about 1,329 publications and 21,938 citations across topics like microbiology, forestry, biology, environmental science (EduRank).
• It is recognized for regional and tribal studies, with research centres such as the Tribal Research Center and Center for Environmental Studies, funded by UGC, ICSSR, DST, DBT etc. (Shiksha Bharats).

5.2 Innovation & Collaboration

• Partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and institutions for projects focused on sustainable development, tribal welfare, biodiversity conservation, and rural development (Shiksha Bharats, University Cube).

6. Career Development & Placement Cell

• The Training & Placement Cell provides career guidance, personality development workshops, resume writing, and mock interviews (UniversityKart).
• Placement rates typically range between 60 % to 70 %, reaching up to 100 % in some years depending on discipline. Highest packages reported exceed ₹25 LPA while average packages lie between ₹2.5 to ₹8 LPA (UniversityKart).
• Major recruiters include TCS, Wipro, Infosys, SBI Life, Mahindra, Maruti Suzuki, Vedanta, NALCO, Coco‑Cola, as well as placements in research institutes, government, NGOs and public-sector undertakings such as SAIL and ICMR (Study Jankari).

7. Notable Alumni & Faculty

• Prof. Sanghamitra Mohanty served as Vice Chancellor (2011–14); she received the Samanta Chandrashekhar Award and was a Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society, UK (Wikipedia).
• While specific high-profile alumni are few online, the university has contributed graduates to sectors including law, public administration, education, and tribal advocacy in the region.

8. Reputation, Rankings & Awards

8.1 NAAC & Accreditation

• NAAC Grade B awarded in 2011; subsequent reassessment granted Grade A (CGPA 3.1), reflecting academic and infrastructure improvement (Wikipedia).

8.2 National & Global Rankings

• EduRank 2025: India ranking #313, global rank #5860, subject‑wise visibility in biology, microbiology, wildlife & fisheries, forestry etc. (EduRank).

8.3 Regional Impact

• Specifically aims to serve the educational needs of a tribal-dominated population, bridging regional inequities in higher education accessibility through affordable programming, inclusive admissions and outreach efforts (Odisha History, Wikipedia, Shiksha Bharats).

9. Address & Contact Details

Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University (formerly North Orissa University)
Takatpur, Baripada, Mayurbhanj – 757003, Odisha, India (University Dunia)
Phone: +91‑6792‑255129 (Registrar’s office) (University Dunia, University Dunia)
Email: registrarnou123@gmail.com (Official) (University Dunia, University Dunia)
Website: www.nou.nic.in (also MSCB University) (University Dunia, Wikipedia)

10. Strengths & Opportunities

10.1 Key Strengths

• Strategic mandate to serve two tribal-majority districts through quality education and outreach.
• Diverse academic offerings across humanities, sciences, management and vocational/traditional studies.
• Affordable fee structure with strong scholarship support for SC/ST/OBC students.
• Active placement cell with consistent placement percentages and exposure to corporate and PSU recruiters.
• Upgraded NAAC accreditation (Grade A) and visible research output on national metrics.
• Comprehensive infrastructure—libraries, labs, internet, hostels, medical, sports, and inclusive facilities.

10.2 Growth Areas

• Enhanced visibility in national and international academic circles through increased research publications and collaborations.
• Expand postgraduate and doctoral programmes in emerging interdisciplinary and professional fields.
• Modernize infrastructure—smart classrooms, digital learning tools, and expanded hostel capacity.
• Strengthen alumni network and documentation of notable former students across sectors.
• Promote faculty development and research grants through external funding and partnerships.

11. Conclusion

From its inception in 1998, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanj Deo University has stood as a vital educational anchor in north Odisha, particularly for underrepresented tribal communities. With its expanding academic programmes, growing research contributions, improving placements, and upgraded accreditation, the university is charting a path toward regional empowerment and scholarly distinction. While challenges remain in visibility and expansion, NOU’s focus on inclusive access and changing demographic contexts underscore its evolving importance in Odisha’s higher education landscape.

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