Bhubaneswar, Nov 23 (Reporter) Odisha Cabinet held under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday approved a proposal for amendment of the Odisha Universities Act 1989 to improve academic excellence, strengthen higher education and administrative efficiency. Briefing newspersons after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja said the amendment aims to address critical challenges faced by universities, while enhancing overall academic excellence, governance, and administrative efficiency of the varsities. Key aspects of the amendment focus on improving the recruitment process, empowering universities with more autonomy allowing them to make decisions independently while maintaining accountability and involving academic professionals in crucial decision-making processes, reorientation of Senate, forming building and works committee, finance committee etc, he said. By amending the Act, the state government aims to streamline the recruitment process and eliminate the stagnation caused by the recruitment of teachers due to court cases. The changes are designed to create a more transparent and time-bound procedure for appointments, ensuring that vacancies are filled promptly. This amendment has also incorporated the NEP’s transformative aspects – such as the emphasis on multidisciplinary education, skill development and enhanced access through distance learning, and skill development for employability, the Chief Secretary said...////...