Bhubaneswar, Jan 2: Four universities in Odisha received a total grant of Rs 400 crore -- Rs 100 crore each -- under the PM-USHA (Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) scheme.

The four universities include Ravenshaw University, Cuttack; Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University (MSCB University), Baripada; Berhampur University and Sambalpur University in Burla.

With the permission of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rs 100 crore grant has been given to the four universities. Faculties, students as well as former students have thanked the Union Minister for the aid.

"This will help in the infrastructure development, including new multi-story building and various much-needed development projects. The university will see a complete renovation of the campus," said Prof Luna Samanta, Chairperson, PG Council, Ravenshaw University.

"Necessary equipments, including research-related, will be purchased for Science, Commerce and Arts departments. As many as 52 proposals have also been submitted for various orientation programmes for students," she added.

There is a lot of enthusiasm among the authorities and students of Sambalpur University after the announcement of Rs 100 crore grant. Students and teaching staff have said that it will contribute to the development of the university, which will benifit the present and future generation of students.

Reacting to the grant to MSCB University, students and teachers have thanked the state government for the support. Prof Srinibas Bhanja said that it will help not only the university but to the entire district.

"Majority of the people in Mayurbhanj are from tribal area. Students face many problems for higher education. Therefore, the implementation of PM-USHA scheme will greatly benefit the students studying in self-financing as now with the grant, new departments can be opened," said Prof Bhanja.

In Berhampur, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, Minister of Commerce, Transport, Steel & Mine, announced about the grant of Rs 100 crore for the Berhampur University. The Minister was attending the 59th Foundation Day of the university Friday.

The students and intellectuals couldn't hide their joy after the announcement and thanked the Indian as well as state government. Reacting to this financial aid, students said that grant will contribute to the improvement and development of the university.

A Much-Needed Aid For Education

With the change in the government, a lot of change have come to the state -- be it for the women's welfare, be it for healthcare or now for education sector.

Due to the lack of sincerity of the erstwhile BJD government, the central government's ambitious scheme PM-USHA scheme was not implemented in the state. As a result, infrastructure in higher education lagged behind.

However it all changed within just 81 days after BJP formed the government in Odisha for the first time. An agreement was signed between the Union Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Department of the state government regarding the PM-USHA scheme.

Following the agreement, Rs 676.70 Crore grant was announced for the infrastructure development of universities and colleges.

What Is PM-USHA Scheme?

PM-USHA scheme, previously known as RUSA scheme (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme to fund States/UTs institutions, with the vision to attain higher levels of access, equity, and excellence in the State higher education system with greater efficiency, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness.

The first phase of the scheme was launched in 2013 and the second phase was launched in 2018. Now, in the light of the National Education Policy, RUSA scheme has been launched as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA).

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