Gangadhar Meher College (Autonomous), Sambalpur

Gangadhar Meher College (Autonomous), Sambalpur was established in 1944 as Sambalpur College in Sambalpur, Odisha.^[1] Later the name of the institution was changed to Gangadhar Meher College in 1949 after the name of the illustrious Oriya Poet, Gangadhar Meher. This college was accredited 'A' by NAAC on 11th May' 2015 by the UGC team.

About College

Upgraded to University and now it is renamed as Gangadhar Meher University,Sambalpur.Earlier it was Popularly known as GM (auto)College, and was affiliated to Sambalpur University. The college offers Under Graduate, Post Graduate, Master of Philosophy and Self Financing Courses.

From a small student strength of 192 in 1944, the college has made rapid strides over the periods of time and had grown into a multi-faculty Post-Graduate College, catering to the needs of about 4500 students. It provides teaching facility in 19 subjects at Under-Graduate level and 4 subjects at the M.Phil. courses.^[2][3] Over and above, the conventional streams of study in Humanities, Science and Commerce, this institution has introduced courses in Still Photography and Audio Production and Textile Science. In addition to this, the college has been offering Computer courses at B. Sc. and M. Sc. levels including M.C.A (Master in Computer Applications)^[4] The college has opened some career oriented courses like P.G. Diploma in Bio-Informatics, B.B.A., M.B.A. and B.Sc. Information Science and Telecommunication from the academic session 2003-2004. The relevance of these courses in general terms and within the specific context of a backward part of the country is undeniably significant. This college has also been identified as a center to upgrade the merit of SC/ST/Minority/OBC (Non Creamy Layers) students through different schemes, functioning since 2007-2008.

The college has been functioning as an Autonomous College since 1991 and managed and controlled by statutory and non-statutory bodies, as prescribed by the University Grants Commission. The autonomy of this institution has been extended up to 2013-2014 by the UGC letter No.:-F.22-1/2009(AC)/April 2009, basing on its academic reputation, co-curricular activities, quality of institutional management and responsiveness of administrative structure.The college has been identified as 'College with Potential for Excellence'(CPE ) by the U.G.C. since 2004-05 and it has been extended up to end of XI Plan period.It is also NAAC accredited with B-Grade since February 28, 2005.This Institution is fully committed to its aims and goals and taking good care of students.

Admissions

There are four types Courses in the College

• (A) U.G. Courses
• (B) P.G. Courses
• (C) M.Phil. Courses
• (D) M.C.A. Courses

A — Admission into U.G. Courses

The minimum eligibility for admission into the U.G.(B.A./B.Sc./B.Com.) Hons. courses is that the applicant must have passed +2 level exam with 40% marks in aggregate excluding 4th optional). Students are admitted through e-admission qualifying examination

B — Admission into P.G.Courses

The minimum eligibility to apply for M.Sc. courses is that the applicant should have passed with Honours and have secured 50% of marks in the concerned Honours subjects (45% for SC/ST students), where as for M.A. courses, it is 45% in the commerce Honours subject.

C — Admission into M. Phil. Courses

The minimum eligibility to apply for M. Phil. courses is that the applicant must have secured 50% of marks in the Post-Graduate subject concerned. They are selected on the basis of marks obtained in the previous qualifying examinations. Minimum Eligibility for Professional Courses:

1. B.Sc.IST:+2 Science with Physics or Mathematics and minimum 45% marks in aggregate.
2. BBA:+2
3. MBA:OJEE
4. Any Graduate:

D — Admission into M.C.A Courses

Students are selected from state level Joint Entrance Examination. This Examination is Conducted by B.P.U.T. (Biju Pattnaik University of Technology).

Management

Gangadhar Meher College (Autonomous), Sambalpur has the following Committees to ensure the proper management of academic, financial and general administrative affairs.

The statutory bodies are:

1. Executive Committee

The constitution of this committee is in accordance with the guidelines of UGC for Autonomous Colleges. The Executive Committee was reconstituted by the Department of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha in August, 2002 with the following functionaries for a period of two years. The present Executive Committee was constituted by the Notification No.IHE-AC-21/05-17387/5.4.2007.

'Functions:' The Executive Committee has the following powers  :-

1. Fixation of the fees and other charges payable by the students of the college on the recommendations of the Finance Committee.
2. Instituting scholarships, fellowships, studentships, medals, prizes and certificates on the recommendations of the Academic Council.
3. Approving institution of new programs of study leading to degrees or diplomas.
4. Perform such other functions and institute committees, as may be necessary and deemed fit for the proper development and fulfillment of the objectives for which the college has been declared as autonomous.

2. Academic Council

The Academic Council (AC) is solely responsible for all academic matters such as framing of academic policy, approval of courses, regulations, syllabus etc.

Composition

Terms of Members

The term of the nominated members is of two years

Functions

1. Scrutinize and approve the proposals with or without modification of the Boards of Studies with regards to courses of study, the academic regulations, curricula, syllabus and modifications there of, instructional and evaluation arrangements, methods, procedures relevant there to etc.,provided that where the Academic Council differs on any proposal, it will have a right to return the matter for consideration to the Board of Studies concerned or reject it, after giving reasons to do so.
2. Make regulations regarding the admission of students to different programs of study in the college.
3. Make regulations for sports, extra-curricular activities, proper maintenance and functioning of the playgrounds and hostels.
4. Recommend to the Executive Committee proposals for institution of new programs of study.
5. Recommend to the Executive Committee, institution of Scholarships, studentship fellowship, prizes and medals and to frame regulations for the award of the same.
6. Advise the Executive Committee on suggestions pertaining to academic affairs
7. Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Executive Committee

3. Board of Studies

The Board of Studies is the basic constituent of the academic system of this college. Its function includes, among others, making rules and regulations and syllabi for various courses, reviewing and up dating syllabi from time to time, introducing new courses of study, determining details of continuous assessment, recommending panels of examiners etc..

The Chairman, Board of Studies may with the approval of the Principal of the college. (a) Co-opt experts from outside the college whenever special courses of studies are formulated. (b) Co-opt other members of staff of the same faculty.

Terms of Members The term of the nominated members is for the period of two years

Meeting The Principal of the college draws a schedule for meeting of the Board of Studies for different departments as and when necessary but at least once in a year.

Functions The Board of Studies of the department in the college :-

1. Prepare syllabi for various courses keeping in view the objectives of the college interest of the stakeholders and the national as well as regional requirement for consideration and approval of the Academic Council.
2. Suggest methodology for innovative teaching and evaluation techniques. .
3. Suggest panel of names to the Academic Council for appointment of examiners.
4. Co-ordinate research, teaching extension and other academic activities in the department/college.

References