A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE COLLEGE

"Let us create history, Let somebody else write it” - Netaji.

Nestled in the lap of eastern Odisha, the Udayanath Autonomous College of Science & Technology, At- Prachi Jnanapitha, Po- Adaspur, Dist – Cuttack, Odisha, has taken long strides to reach its destination – a holistic approach to life through meaningful education. The history of the college reflects the history of a progressive rural area – the socio-economic and cultural life of the location and the history of delivering true education to the common people. The college owes its origin to 1982 when it made only a non-formal appearance in the name of Prachi Mahavidyalaya under the roof of Prachi Academy in the vicinity with Arts at the higher secondary level. Yet it was rendered rudderless owing to the lack of patronage. Under the dynamic leadership of Sj. Trilochan Kanungo, former Member of Parliament (LS), educationist and social thinker of our times and the generous and noble financial contribution made by the late Udayanath Sahoo of the locality, the college managed to weather the difficulties. Named after the patron as Udayanath College of Science & Technology, the college was transferred to its own building at Prachi Jnanapitha (the present site) on 3 December 1986. The other two streams of Science and Commerce at the H.S. level were introduced and all the three streams were accorded official recognition and affiliation together in 1987. Seated on a stretch of 30 acres of land at Prachi Jnanapitha of Adaspur village, the college stands on the holy river Prachi; close to Kenduli, the birth place of the renowned classical poet JAYADEV. The College started making a headway from its infancy by the concerted effort and cooperation of some enthusiastic and magnanimous sons of the soil. Our founder President Sj. Trilochan Kanungo who is a visionary has been the kingpin in giving the master-stroke to take the college to such a height as to make it a trend-setter in the higher education sector of the state. As the architect of this leading college, he has taken up the onerous task of resource mobilisation, advising the construction wing in the execution of the master plan and monitoring it in the process. As an educationist he expedites the introduction of new academic programmes as suggested by the Academic Council from time to time ensuring quality education. Founder Secretary Sri Hansanath Sahoo, Dr. Brushaketu Mohanty, Sri Binod Chandra Routray, Sri Panchanan Kanungo, the late Raghunath Sahoo, Sri Madhusudan Mohapatra, Dr Prasant Kumar Mishra, Sri Bipin behari Patra, the late Chakradhar Routray and others vigorously contributed their might with a missionary zeal to propel its growth. The establishment of U.N. College of Sc. & Tech at Adaspur has not only added a new dimension to the aspirations of the people of the region but it has also facilitated the spread of education to every corner of our state. The college has created history for imparting high standard of teaching to its pupils by a galaxy of highly qualified and experienced teachers with the mission of achieving academic excellence. To fulfil the cherished dream of the people for higher education, undergraduate classes were opened in Arts in 1991; Science in 1992 and Commerce in 1993. Honours teaching facilities were introduced in Economics, Political Science, History, Odia, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany and Zoology in 1996; Accounting and Management in 2002; English and Education in 2003; Psychology and Sanskrit in 2004; Philosophy in 2005; Library Science and Computer Science in 2007. It has got the pride of being the only college in the state having the teaching department of Women’s Studies honours in Arts since 2010, carrying the total number of honours teaching subjects to 23 stream-wise 14 under Arts, 8 under science and Commerce at present. The New Honours subjects like Sociology, Hindi, Geology, Geography and Statistics are opened subsequently. Post graduate teaching in Odia was started in 2009 adding a new chapter to the academic history of the college. The Post Graduate teaching programme in Commerce was started in the academic session, 2011-12 to further fortify the flagship stream of the college. This apart, Professional courses like BCA and BBA were launched in 2008 and 2009 respectively to fulfil the need for technical and job oriented education among the youths seeking higher education. Teaching in two other demanding subjects B.Sc.(ITM) and MFC (later known as M.Com.(F&C)), a Post Graduate Programme has been started since 2010-11. PG course in Computer Science, Physics, History, Philosophy and English was started in 2012-13. PG course in Mathematics, Pol. Sc., Economics and Clinical Psychology was introduced from the session 2017-18. PG courses in Chem., Bot., Zool., Edn., Sans., Hindi, & Sociology are introduced in the year 2019-20. The commencement of a new year heralds the advent of some important scholastic achievements.

The college is affiliated to UTKAL UNIVERSITY and to the CHSE, Odisha. It was included in 12 B and 2f under the UGC Act on 17 and 22 December 2003 respectively. The college was accredited B+ scoring 78.5% marks by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) w.e.f. 26.02.2006 for five years. The College merited to be accorded the coveted status of AUTONOMY by the UGC in January 2009.The college is accredited by NAAC with Grade B in the second cycle in the year 2014. Autonomy status is extended by UGC till 2023. The award of the status of Autonomy is a great milestone in the glorifying history of the institution.
The massive infrastructure owned by the college is the cause of envy and admiration. It has in its proud possession Arts Block, Science Block, Commerce Block, Administrative Block, Academic Block and an imposing three storied octagonal library building block equipped with all modern facilities with

Lord Ganesh taking the centre stage on its ground floor, Prachi Gymkhana & Stadium built over an area of 11 acres of land, 3 Gents Hostels, 3 Ladies Hostels,Principal’s Quarters, Staff Quarters, Pump House, Cycle Shed, Canteen etc add to the ever accumulating immovable assets of the college. The college installed a 125 KVA DG set on 22.07.10 and 250 KVA DG set in the year - 2016 to ensure 24 hours supply of electricity in the premises. The Saraswati temple in the premises was consecrated in a specially arranged religious ceremony by Sri Sri Prajnanandaji Maharaj on the auspicuous occasion of 24 June 2010. The lush delicate gardens and orchards as old as the college itself beautify the landscape, maintain ecology and create an ambience congenial to exploiting its potential. The smimming pool under UGC scheme is completed in the year 2019-20, which is considered as one of the major wings of the sports complex of our college. It is the only swimming pool of the State at a college level.

The college has created a history in the conduct of examinations as fairly as possible strictly pursuing the prescribed rules. Monthly tests are held to evaluate learners’ performances on short term basis. Such co-curricular activities as debates in English, Odia and Hindi and Spoken English classes are given slots in the time-table. To facilitate students’ access to the study centre, time slots are also allotted for all classes. The college has had 2 NCC Units - one for boys and another for girls, 4 NSS Units 1 Rover Unit, 1 Ranger Unit and 2 YRC Units engaged in welfare schemes.

 

The college has the glory of having great scholars as Principals, prominent among them were the late Prof Rajendra Prasad Das, renowned historian and educationist and Prof. Durga Prasanna Das, academician and administrator of repute. The college, over the years, has established a distinctive culture of its own with smart, diligent and creative students enjoying the splendour of a healthy, homely and disciplined study atmosphere. Being only a quarter century old, this college has been transfomed into a premier academic institution by its operational efficiency and student’s discipline. Having the cherished hope of metamorphosing itself into a Rural University, the college has been set on a proven sustainable growth trajectory, heavily drawing students from every nook and cranny of the state. It has yet miles to go to meet its set goal - Vision 2020 as projected by the apex policy decision-maker---Governing Body, in the Silver Jubilee year of the college.