GetMyUni's Verdict on Utkal University

Parvathy Krishnakumar

"Predominantly known for its postgraduate and higher education programs, Utkal University is one of the most renowned universities in Odisha. Yet, a few areas, such as its infrastructure and placement opportunities, require balancing and improvements."

Often called one of the best universities in Odisha for postgraduate studies, Utkal University has a high reputation for offering excellent academic programs across various disciplines. The university is primarily famous for its varied postgraduate programs and affordable tuition fees, making it easy for students who aspire to pursue higher education.

Additionally, the university boasts of its robust alumni network, who have achieved great success in their respective fields. Although the university has its strengths, which include renowned professors, academic excellence and a nominal fee structure, the university falls behind in terms of its lack of proper facilities, limited courses at the undergraduate level and disappointing placement records.

Besides, the university's administrative process is slow, causing difficulties for students. Though the university offers various disciplines and specialisations, the research facilities and opportunities are limited, especially for undergraduate students. Aspirants must note that, like in all multidisciplinary universities, the quality of education, facilities and career prospects are different from one discipline to another.

Table of Contents

• Wide Array of Courses for Higher Studies
• Mixed Quality of Professors
• Contrasting Infrastructure with Room for Improvement
• Limited On-Campus Housing Facilities for All
• Active & Exciting Campus Life
• Differing Placement Prospects
• Overall Impression of Utkal University

Wide Array of Courses for Higher Studies

As mentioned earlier, limited course options are available at the undergraduate level, whereas the university offers a wide range of postgraduate and doctoral programs in various disciplines. Hence, the university is known chiefly for its higher education. Nevertheless, the university has been called the pioneer for many courses, which is comparatively the best in the state. The university offers only six undergraduate programs, which are listed below.

• BA B.Ed
• B.Sc B.Ed
• MBBS
• B.Pharm
• B.Sc Nursing
• Integrated B.Ed.

While the university offers only a few undergraduate programs, it provides around 47 postgraduate programs, 25 M.Phil (pre-doctoral) programs and 38 doctoral degree programs across multiple disciplines. The top departments known for these programs are as follows.

• Computer Science & Engineering
• Electronics & Communication Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Computer Applications
• Business Administration
• Economics
• Commerce
• History
• English Literature
• Psychology.

These departments ensure students have access to advanced knowledge in their fields by providing a rigorous academic curriculum and emphasis on various aspects that can help them succeed in their careers. The quality of education at the university is ensured as it collaborates with regulatory authorities.

Course Fee Structure

The general fee structure at the university is comparatively more affordable than that of several other private universities in the country. The course fees vary depending on the program type, specialisation, student category, and available resources. Additionally, the course fees depend on the education level and study year.

According to the latest fee structure, the average annual course fee for undergraduate students in the Science, Engineering, Arts, and Medicine disciplines is around INR 5.5 lakhs. The yearly course fees for postgraduate Arts, Science and Commerce programs range between INR 33,000 and INR 55,000. The academic fees for M.Phil programs are also around INR 33,000. 

Apart from the tuition fees, students are also required to pay additional fees in terms of library access, examination fees and others. Also, students from underrepresented groups can relax in the fees. 

Additionally, the university offers financial assistance to students based on their merit and categories to ensure all deserving students have access to quality education. These scholarships cover more than half of the tuition fees with added benefits. 

Attendance Policy

As per the rules and regulations of the university, students must strictly adhere to the attendance policy of maintaining a minimum of 75% in all subjects and classes. Students who fail to meet the attendance requirements will not be allowed to appear for the end-semester examinations.

Mixed Quality of Professors

While there are dedicated and renowned faculty members at the university, the quality of the professors is a mixed bag. Though most professors are highly educated and experienced, the quality varies from department to department.

The university has several noteworthy professors, especially in the Science, Humanities and Social Sciences departments, who possess extensive knowledge and are experienced researchers in their respective fields. 

Despite genuinely dedicated professors providing updated information and imparting relevant knowledge in specific fields, others rely on outdated curricula and lack of practical communication skills. The excellent professors devise various teaching styles to ensure all students in their class gain the required knowledge and are easily accessible outside the classroom. 

Some professors only focus on the primary curriculum and syllabus and follow the traditional lectures, while others employ interactive lectures using project discussions and creating more engagement among students. Such professors are also unavailable outside classes, which makes it difficult for the students to approach them for doubt clarification.

Nevertheless, the experienced professors are committed to providing the necessary assistance and resources to the students to perform cutting-edge research in their fields. They are ready to use their influence in the industry to help students reach their ambitions.

Apart from the inaccessibility and lack of experience, based on the students’ reviews on online platforms, they have also faced issues due to the language barrier. English proficiency is inconsistent among the professors, which creates issues for students from different parts of the country.

Overall, the quality of professors is inconsistent, and aspiring students are advised to connect with past and present students to learn more about the professors and the curriculums for their choice of course.

Contrasting Infrastructure with Room for Improvement

The university’s infrastructure is a mix of modern as well as well-maintained and outdated and inadequate facilities. Spread across a vast land area, the lush green university campus houses scenic features, such as gardens and open areas for students to learn and relax. 

Similar to the quality of academics and professors, the infrastructure is also inconsistent throughout the departments, with some having better facilities and amenities than others. However, the university is said to be actively working towards making changes and improvements in its infrastructure to cater to the needs of its students. 

The classrooms, in general, are spacious enough to accommodate large groups of students, with the necessary facilities to engage students in an interactive learning environment. Specific departments like Science and Technology have been recently renovated to include well-equipped laboratories with advanced technology to enhance the students' practical learning experience and research facilities. 

The central library at the university houses a vast collection of books, research papers, journals, and various other resources to cater to the diverse needs of students. The library also includes an extensive collection of digital resources for students to access online. The spacious library provides adequate space for students to read and study peacefully. 

The university's sports complex is well-maintained and has various facilities for sports such as badminton, cricket, basketball and athletics. It includes various indoor and outdoor sports facilities, as the university encourages students to participate in various events and competitions. The sports facilities also include a well-equipped gymnasium for the students to maintain their physical health alongside the challenging academic curriculum.

The university also has a canteen/cafeteria managed by a private vendor. Various food and beverages are available in the canteen in nominal areas. There are sufficient seating areas inside and outside the canteen where students can hang out. 

Though most of the academic infrastructure is decent, certain departmental buildings are poorly maintained and require immediate attention. In addition, the facilities, such as clean bathrooms, drinking water facilities and electricity, are unevenly distributed among some departments.

Also, students have raised concerns about the absence of accessible amenities, such as ramps, elevators, and washroom facilities for students with disabilities in all the buildings.

Overall, students are not very satisfied with the facilities and amenities and the general infrastructure of the university. Nonetheless, the university administration acknowledges these issues and is working towards providing the necessary facilities and improvements to make the students’ lives easier on campus.

Limited On-Campus Housing Facilities for All

The university provides on-campus housing facilities for male and female students across multiple hostels. Though there are 6 hostels for boys and 7 for girls, the students may struggle to get admission due to high demand. 

The facilities and amenities available at these hostels are different. However, the rooms provided in the hostels are mostly well-furnished and shared occupancy. Single rooms are available only for senior students or requiring specific facilities.

All hostels have common areas for recreational activities, study rooms and internet connectivity. Though the hostels generally have all the necessary facilities, the maintenance conditions vary, especially in the older hostels. Students have reported issues regarding the leaking roofs and plumbing and lighting problems. 

As mentioned above, availing of hostel accommodation is a tedious task due to its high demand, and therefore, students are advised to apply for hostels beforehand. The older hostels lack space, and students have mentioned the overcrowding in shared rooms, which leaves them with no privacy or personal space. 

Apart from these problems, living in hostels on campus makes it convenient for students to reach their classes on time and access the various facilities available at the university. Additionally, the hostel fees are affordable compared to the off-campus housing facilities, making it easy on the pockets. The safety and security of students are also ensured by placing security guards and designated superintendents at all gates 24/7.

Students are served timely meals thrice a day in the dining areas through the separate mess facilities in the hostels, which are hygienic and clean. However, the quality and variety of the food items served differ from one hostel to another. Students have mentioned that the food quality is inconsistent and lacks variety.

The hostel fees vary based on the hostel and room types. Generally, the monthly hostel fees for shared rooms fall between INR 500 and INR 1000; single rooms range from INR 1000 to INR 1500.

Students need not worry if they do not get hostel allotment on campus, as there are multiple PGs and private hostels around the university. The monthly rents at the PGs vary depending on the facilities and luxuries provided. Typically, the PG rents range between INR 3900 and INR 17,000.

Active & Exciting Campus Life

The university gives equal importance to academics and extracurricular activities, reflected in the vibrant and dynamic campus life. The student clubs at the university contribute to helping students develop academically, professionally and socially. These clubs are mainly student-led with the assistance of faculty members. The university organises various events and fests to encourage students to pursue their interests and passions alongside a challenging academic curriculum. 

The university conducts various events where students can showcase their talents and skills. The various clubs, including athletics, eco, creative writing, debating, cultural, drawing and painting, organise competitions where students actively participate.

Such events and competitions provide a platform for students to perform their talents and improve their management and interpersonal skills. As the university has a large student body, the students can connect with each other and form long-lasting friendships with like-minded individuals through these clubs.

Besides the university's location being a central hub for cultural exchange, museums, libraries, and historical sites, students have many opportunities to explore and enrich their learning experience beyond the university campus.

Apart from the cultural events, the university also conducts annual sports tournaments and competitions between different departments, which induces a sense of team spirit and student competition. The university provides the necessary facilities and resources for students to practice sports and polish their skills.

Diversity on Campus

The university has a diverse student body, with students from different parts of the state and country. Although there is a healthy mix of cultures and languages, the predominant language used on campus is Odiya, which causes a particular barrier among students. Besides, the students from different socioeconomic backgrounds have mentioned the inequalities they face on the university campus. 

While there is almost a balance between the number of male and female students, gender disparities are said to persist in particular spaces, which highlights the requirement of continued efforts for gender equality. Additionally, the university lacks representation of minority groups in some departments, which leads to a feeling of exclusion or isolation.

However, the university is continually working on improving the aforementioned disparities and being more inclusive of students from all walks of life.

Dress Code

Students at the university do not have a particular uniform, nor do they have a strict dress code. Yet, the students are expected to dress respectfully and maintain a professional appearance. They must adhere to the dress code for some departments for practical reasons. Students must wear formal or business casuals for certain occasions, such as conferences, presentations, interviews, etc. 

Differing Placement Prospects

Though the university offers various courses across disciplines, the placement records are average. Despite several companies participating in the placement drives and more than half of the total graduates being recruited, the salary packages offered to the students are lower than those offered to most other university graduates. Additionally, the placement possibilities are different for each department.

According to the latest reports, around 60% of the graduates were offered jobs by the participating companies. Based on the records, the median salary package offered to undergraduate students ranged between INR 1.80 LPA and INR 3.40 LPA, based on the courses. The median salary package for postgraduate students was between INR 3.50 LPA and INR 4 LPA. 

Most students recruited through the placement process belonged to Computer Science and Engineering, Management, Electronics and Communication Engineering and English Literature disciplines. Although the university’s placement cell actively organises placement drives and invites reputed companies, the overall placement consistency has not increased much over the years. 

According to students’ reviews on online platforms, the uneven placement results are due to the lack of exposure and skill gap between the students and the industry requirements. Additionally, the students have mentioned fewer prospects for entrepreneurial venture startups for some programs. 

Overall Impression of Utkal University

It can be concluded that Utkal University is one of the best universities in the state, primarily known for its postgraduate and doctoral programs. Though it offers a dynamic and affordable education, certain aspects are uneven, such as the quality of its professors across various disciplines, infrastructure and facilities, and most importantly, the placement opportunities available. 

Apart from the drawbacks mentioned above, the university is popularly known for its academic excellence, vast campus and vibrant campus experience. Aspirants are, however, advised to connect with past and present students and experts to learn more about the academic curriculum, quality of teaching and career opportunities available for the courses they plan to pursue. 

The university is committed to making the necessary changes to provide a holistic education experience for its students. The following are some of the pros and cons of the university that must be considered before joining.

*Source: utkaluniversity.ac.in