Interview Times 
In the realm of academia, Prof. Bidhu Bhusan Mishra shines as a seasoned luminary, dedicating 32 impactful years to Utkal University. A distinguished Professor and visionary Head of the Department of Business Administration, he orchestrated a symphony of knowledge, donning the mantle of Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies with grace and becoming a beacon of scholarly excellence. His journey, marked by over 100 papers and six captivating books, showcases a legacy of intellectual prowess, guiding more than 50 Ph.D. scholars with a nurturing hand.
Now as the Vice-Chancellor at Sambalpur University, Prof. Mishra brings a wealth of experience and unwavering dedication to academic leadership, shaping the destinies of knowledge seekers with seasoned brilliance. In his academic journey, he remains a maestro, orchestrating the symphony of education with a brushstroke of wisdom and dedication.
1. Could you please, share the overarching vision and mission that drives your university’s academic journey?
The Sambalpur University is a state government institution, is committed to delivering quality education at an affordable cost, especially to the most economically disadvantaged, primarily focusing on the field of western medicine. With a 57-year academic history, the university prioritizes educational excellence, boasting numerous achievements and successful alumni nationwide. The institution is poised for both horizontal and vertical expansion, intending to introduce five new departments over the next five years and enhancing existing programs through regular syllabus revisions, incorporating feedback from students, faculty, and industry trends to ensure relevance in the evolving market. This strategic approach reflects the university’s dedication to enriching its academic offerings.
2.What are those unique strengths and the academic offerings that set your university apart from others?
Sambalpur University’s distinctive strength lies in being a State Government University that provides nearly all degrees at minimal cost, with a monthly tuition fee of only 12 rupees. A unique department, Performing Art, showcases the cultural richness of West Norwich through academic curriculum, offering a specialized Master’s program. The university also houses a Center of Excellence dedicated to preserving and documenting folklore and traditional dances, setting it apart from others.
3.What are your 360 degree views on the extra curriculum activities that you university offers to the students?
Sambalpur University stands out as a State Government institution, offering almost all degrees at an incredibly low monthly tuition fee of just 12 rupees. Its uniqueness is further underscored by the Performing Art department, which integrates West Norwich’s cultural wealth into academic programs, including a distinctive Master’s course. Additionally, the university hosts a Center of Excellence committed to capturing and archiving traditional folklore and dances, distinguishing it from other institutions.
4.What specific priorities has your university outlined for the upcoming five years to enhance its academic standing and societal impact?
The university has partnered with various institutions across the country, including NIT Rourkela, the Agriculture University, RPRC Bhubaneswar, and ILS Bhubneswar. These partnerships provide technical support, student and faculty exchange opportunities, and internship programs. For example, students are trained in Niger and faculty from Niger are invited to the university.To improve the quality of education, the university is expanding its departments and enriching its programs. It is also integrating internships into all disciplines so that students can gain real-world experience. For example, MBA students will be placed in different industries to learn about management, while sociology students will participate in immersion programs in villages to study people’s lives and customs. The internship program is an essential part of the university’s mission to provide students with both theoretical and practical knowledge.
5.Skill Development and Placement has a integral part of any universities growth trajectory, hence forth the workforce for the future is ready. How is your university skilling the students?
The university is preparing students for the future of work by offering courses on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud computing. The university also offers value-added courses, both credit and non-credit, on life skills such as NCC, NSH, Yoga, and UB tech service. In addition, the university is developing emotional intelligence courses to help students work with others and stay healthy. These courses are offered in addition to the regular academic curriculum. In summary, the university is committed to providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the 21st century workforce.
6.Can you shed light on the possible partnerships and collaborative ventures that your university has established to enrich the academic experience?
The university has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with various institutions, including NIT Rourkela, the Agriculture University, RPRC Bhubaneswar, ILS Bhubneswar, and other laboratories across the country. These partnerships provide technical support and opportunities for student and faculty exchange. For example, students are trained in Niger and faculty from Niger are invited to the university. The university is committed to building relationships with institutions at the state and national levels to foster collaboration and innovation.
7.What initiatives and support systems does your university offer to foster entrepreneurship and the growth of start-ups among students?
Embarking on an entrepreneurial odyssey, our university pioneers innovation with a Common Instrumentation Facility (CIF), a treasure trove of research and startup gear. In our quest to cultivate visionary minds, we unveil the Startup Forum and Center for Innovation and Incubation—an incubator of dreams, fueling the spark of entrepreneurial brilliance among our students. Here, ideas take flight, and innovation finds its home.
8.What are the key imitative you have taken in a personal level to merge you academic system with the industrial bodies to enrich the academia experience and its outcome?
The university has signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with various institutions, including NIT Rourkela, the Agriculture University, RPRC Bhubaneswar, ILS Bhubneswar, and other laboratories across the country. These partnerships provide technical support and opportunities for student and faculty exchange. For example, students are trained in Niger and faculty from Niger are invited to the university. The university is committed to building relationships with institutions at the state and national levels to foster collaboration and innovation.
9.What are the most significant challenges your university faces today and what measures are being taken to address them?
Our university has a long history, and some of the challenges we face today are due to problems that have been inherited from the past. These include poor infrastructure and maintenance, unauthorized encroachment of land by local people, the rigidity of government bureaucracy, and limited funding. We offer our postgraduate programs almost free of charge, which means we have limited resources to spend on other areas of the university. We are therefore reliant on government funding to cover our costs.
10.Could you please, share your vision for the future of higher education in Odisha? And how do you see the future of the education system in Odisha?
In charting the future of higher education in Odisha, our state university envisions a dynamic landscape marked by innovation and efficiency. Aligned with the higher education department’s goals, we stand out by crafting a distinctive academic calendar and exam schedule, positioning ourselves as trailblazers in timely course completion and result publication—a hallmark of student success.
Our creative footprint extends to integrating vibrant internship programs across disciplines, bridging the gap between theory and real-world application. In this academic tapestry, we weave partnerships with industries and local institutions, cultivating a collaborative ecosystem that propels our students toward thriving careers or entrepreneurial ventures. The vision is not just about education; it’s about sculpting a future where learning is a harmonious blend of knowledge, experience, and boundless opportunity.
