Higher Education Open House 2012
OSA Higher Education Open House – 2012
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
The 1st OSA Higher Education Open House was held at Ravenshaw University, Cuttack on December 18th, 2012 organized by OSA, hosted by Ravenshaw University with support of Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha & NROFC (NRO Facilitation Center).
The key objectives for the Open House event were:
- Helping students from Odisha universities/institutes for higher studies in US/Canada
- Establish specific student/faculty exchange program between universities in US/Canada & Odisha
- MoU & tangible next steps between Odisha & US/Canada universities for collaborative research, joint study program etc. for mutual benefit
The event was supported by representatives from following US universities:
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- University of California, Santa Cruz, CA
- West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV
- University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Miles College, Birmingham, AL
The Open House was open to all students, faculties & research community of the state. Effort & publicity was made and get state wide participation with active support from Higher Education Department.
2. Event Summary
2.1 Program Schedule
Below is the program schedule that provides brief overview of complete program events in general:
| Agenda/Topic | Speaker/Moderator/Coordinators | Time |
| Registration | All | 9.30 – 10.30 AM |
| Guest Invitation & Inaugural | Dr. Adyasha Das & Prof. Sanjay Satpathy | 10.30 – 10.45 AM |
| Welcome Address & Momento Distribution | Prof. Baishnab Charan Tripathy:Vice Chancellor – Ravenshaw UniversityDr. Annapurna PandeyOSA President, CAShri Badri Narayan PatraHon’ble Minister, Higher Education, Odisha | 10.45 – 11.30 AM |
| Higher Education in Odisha – Collaborative Scope and Opportunity | Shri Gagan Kumar DhalPrincipal Secretary, Higher Education, Govt. of Odisha | 11.30 – 11.50 PM |
| Objectives of OSA Higher Education Open House Initiative | Dr. Sukant K. MohapatraOSA HE Program Chair, NJ | 11.50 – 12.00 PM |
| UC Santa Cruz Undergraduate and Graduate Programs – Admission to UC system & Partnership Opportunities | Dr. Michael McCawleyUniversity of California, Santa Cruz, CA | 12.00 – 12.20 PM |
| Higher Study/ Collaboration/Partnership Opportunities at MSU, East Lansing, MI | Prof. Subhendra MahantiMichigan State University, East Lansing, MI | 12.20 – 12.40 PM |
| Opportunity for Health Science Professionals at West Virginia University, WV | Prof. Ranjita MisraWest Virginia University, Morgantown, WV | 12.40 – 1.00 PM |
| Existing Collaboration with Miles College, AL and future up-scope Opportunities | Prof. Digambar MishraMiles College, Birmingham, AL | 1.00 – 1.20 PM |
| Under Graduate, Graduate Admissions & Collaborative Research Opportunities at Univ. of Wisconsin, WI | Prof. Bikash R. PattnaikUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison, WI | 1.20 – 1.40 PM |
| Lunch Break | All | 1.40 – 3.00 PM |
| Address by Distinguished Guests | Mr. Ramachandru TejavathChairman, IDCOLProf. Bishnu Charan BarikVice Chancellor – Sambalpur University Shri Sahadeva SahooPresident, NROFC | 3.00-4.00 PM |
| HSC Toppers Award – Supported by HK Senapati Trust | NROFC & HK Senapati Trust Awards | 4.00-4.30 PM |
| Moderated Open QA Session with ParticipantsDiscussion – Opportunity for Cooperation & Next Steps | Dr. Sukant K. MohapatraOSA HE Program Chair, NJ | 4.30 – 5.15 PM |
| Vote of Thanks | Mrs. Leena Mishra, OSA Secretary, MD | 5.15 – 5.30 PM |
| One to One Meeting of Participants with Delegates, Networking & Visit to Painting Pavilion | All | 5.30 – 6.00 PM |
2.2 Participants
Approximately 200 students and 20 faculty members (primarily from Ravenshaw University) participated in this event. There were few students from other nearby university/institutes participated, some with their parents/relations. Very few faculty (about 5) from other institutes participated. Sambalpur University was represented by Vice Chancellor Prof. Bishnu Charan Barik.
2.3 What was achieved?
Following are some key success achieved with respect original charter/objective of this event:
– Speakers gave very insightful, informative & inspiring talk/presentation for students & faculties desiring higher studies/research in US universities
– There were active participation from students desiring to get information related to higher study opportunity in US/Canada
– Some of the students from Odisha (Mr. Sahoo) & US (Ms. Ankita Mahanty) provided hands-on experience/advice on preparation for applying for higher studies in US/Canada universities
– Govt. support for the event and future initiative by OSA on higher education was welcomed well and was promised for all future support
– Prof. Ranjita Mishra was invited to talk to Odisha Govt. health officials for potential pilot project opportunity on public health in Odisha, similar project she is currently doing in Gujurat
2.4 What could have done better?
Following are some key areas probably could have been better:
– Prior local advertisement
– Large participation of students and faculty community from other universities/institutes from Odisha (beyond host University/Institute)
– Larger student participation (expectation was about 500 student participation)
– Participation of larger young faculty interested in collaborative research and faculty exchange program
– Concrete execution plan with accountability to carry forward next steps of this event
– Feedback collection from students on success/issues of this event. Though feedback forms were distributed, unfortunately same were not proactively collected
2.5 Some participants’ feedback
“Sub: OSA meet at Ravenshaw University , December 21, 2012
Dear Uncle,
I am the daughter of Kshirod Ch. Mohapatra, friend of Mr. Bijay Mohanty. I had met you at the OSA seminar along with my parents. I was initially very apprehensive about doing higher studies in USA but talking to you and attending the seminar organised by OSA, has boosted my confidence by leaps and bounds. I am very grateful for OSA’s initiative and your guidance and inspiration.
Regards,
Jagruti Mohapatra”
3. Potential Next Steps
OSA discussed to provide information related to higher education opportunity through its website & possibly providing books like Peterson Guide to institute/Universities. It was discussed that some plan/facility be created at university/institute locally led by some faculty to make students aware of higher study opportunity and help them in their initiative on a regular basis. Also in future this Open House program may be organized at different locations in the state.
4. Conclusion
This event was possible with help, dedication & support from many volunteers from US and Odisha, Ravenshaw University and Govt. of Odisha. Special thanks to contribution from OSA Higher Education committee members (Amiya Nayak, Abani Patra, Durga Mishra, Sukant Mohapatra, Nishikant Sahoo, Jyostna Pattnaik, Pranabesh Dash & others), OSA executive team specifically leadership of Annapurna Pandey, Odisha coordination team (Adyasha Das, Priyadarshi Mishra, Dhanada Mishra, Sahadeva Sahoo & others). Thanks to US university representative speakers (Ranjita Misra, Michael McCawley, Subhendra Mahanti, Digambar Mishra, Bikash R. Pattnaik) for their informative and inspiring talk. OSA is thankful to host Ravenshaw University, specifically Vice Chancellor Prof. Baishnab Charan Tripathy & Prof. Sanjay Satpathy. The undivided support from Odisha Govt., specifically from dept. of Higher education is highly appreciated. The event would not have been possible without participation of large student and faculty community from Odisha for which this program was intended. We greatly appreciate the financial support provided by the following organizations and members (Dhirendra Kar, Ravenshaw University, Government of Odisha’s Higher Education Department and OSA).
Continuation and success of this program needs long term effort and commitment from OSA & Odisha team. The success criteria may be objectively measured and a long term strategy may be implemented to have tangible intended impact/success of this initiative.
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