UCE alumni association supports deemed university demand

Sambalpur, Oct 15 (UNI) The alumni association of University College of Engineering (UCE) has endorsed its support to the ongoing agitation of the students demanding deemed university status to the 50-year-old engineering college.

Association Secretary Ashesh Kumar Padhy said since deemed university is the first step for IIT, the government must accord the same status to it with immediate effect.

The Orissa government, he said, must take a lesson from its counterpart in West Bengal which had managed IIEST (equivalent IIT status) for Bengal Engineering College.

The alumni association further alleged that while the UPA government had announced IITs for Rajasthan, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh, the case for Orissa was ignored.

UCE sources said Industries Secretary Ashok Dalwai had intimated the College authorities that the Orissa government was interested in declaring UCE as deemed university and formalities in this regard had already been initiated.

Mr Dalwai had appealed to the striking students to withdraw the agitation and wait for a few more days to allow all the formalities to be completed.

UNI