1.

Introduction:

Sambalpur University is a public state university located in the western part of the state of
Odisha, India. It was established in the year 1967 and has been recognized by the University
Grants Commission (UGC) since 1974. it is one of the oldest universities in the region and
has contributed significantly to the development of education and research in the state. The
university has a sprawling campus of over 600 acres and offers undergraduate, postgraduate,
and doctoral programs in various disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, and
management and numerous academic departments, research centres, libraries, hostels, and
sports facilities. The university has around 110 affiliated colleges, with a total student
strength of over 12,000. I had an opportunity to visit Sambalpur University for a field visit to
explore its academic infrastructure, teaching methodologies, research facilities, and student
services. This report summarizes my observations and recommendations for improvement.

1.1 Objectives of the Field Visit:

The objectives of my field visit to Sambalpur University were as follows:

 To gain an understanding of the university's infrastructure and facilities.
 To observe the academic and research activities being carried out in the university.
 To interact with the faculty members and students of the university and gain an
insight into their experiences and opinions.
 To identify the challenges faced by the university and suggest possible solutions.

The main objective of the visit was to assess the academic environment and infrastructure of
Sambalpur University. The visit aimed to evaluate the overall quality of education and
research offered at the university, as well as the facilities and resources available to students
and faculty members.
1.2 Methodology:

The field visit to Sambalpur University was conducted over a period of three days. During
this time, I visited various departments, libraries, research centres, and hostels on the
university campus. I also interacted with the faculty members and students of the university
and conducted informal interviews with them. Additionally, I collected relevant data from the
university's website and other online sources.

2. Findings:

2.1 Infrastructure and Facilities:

Sambalpur University has a sprawling campus with numerous academic buildings, hostels,
libraries, and sports facilities. The university has a well-maintained central library with a
collection of over 200,000 books, journals, and research papers. The university also has a
computer center, a language lab, and a media center to cater to the academic and research
needs of the students and faculty.
The university has separate hostels for male and female students, with a total capacity of over
3,500 students. The hostels are well-equipped with basic amenities such as mess facilities,
Wi-Fi, and recreational facilities. The university also has a sports complex with facilities for
indoor and outdoor sports.

2.2 Academic Infrastructure:

The academic infrastructure of Sambalpur University is quite impressive with well-

maintained buildings, classrooms, and laboratories. During my visit, I had the chance to
explore some of the departments such as the Department of Physics, Chemistry, and
Computer Science. The laboratories were well-equipped with modern instruments, and the
faculty members seemed knowledgeable and supportive. However, some of the departments
such as the Department of Mathematics and Statistics seemed to be lacking in terms of
infrastructure and equipment. The university should take necessary steps to provide these
departments with modern equipment to ensure that the students receive the best education
possible.

2.3 Academic Environment:

The academic environment at Sambalpur University was found to be highly conducive to

learning and research. The university has a highly qualified and experienced faculty that is
committed to providing quality education to students. The faculty members were found to be
highly approachable and were willing to guide students in their academic pursuits.

The university follows a rigorous academic curriculum that is designed to provide a broad-
based education to students. The courses are structured to provide a balance between
theoretical and practical knowledge, with a focus on skill development and problem-solving.

2.4 Research Facilities:

Sambalpur University has several research facilities such as the Central Instrumentation
Facility, Centre for Nano Science and Nano Technology, and the Centre for Remote Sensing
and Geographic Information System. These facilities provide students and faculty members
with opportunities to conduct high-quality research in their respective fields. During my visit,
I had the chance to interact with some of the researchers and was impressed with their level
of knowledge and expertise. However, the university should consider providing more funding
for research to ensure that the researchers have access to the latest equipment and resources.

2.5 Academic and Research Activities:

Sambalpur University offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in various

fields of study. The university has a total of 22 academic departments, including the
Department of Anthropology, Department of History, Department of Economics, Department
of Physics, and Department of Computer Science, among others.

During my field visit, I observed that the faculty members and students of the university were
actively engaged in academic and research activities. The university has several research
centres, including the Center for Regional Studies, the Center for Tribal and Customary Law,
and the Center for Buddhist Studies. These research centres are involved in interdisciplinary
research in various fields, including regional studies, law, and religion.

2.6 Student Diversity:

Sambalpur University has a diverse student population with students from various regions
and cultures studying together. This diversity is a great asset for the university as it provides
students with opportunities to learn about different cultures and perspectives. During my
visit, I observed that the university has taken steps to promote diversity by organizing cultural
events and festivals. The university should continue to promote diversity and encourage
students to appreciate different cultures.
2.7 Student Services:

Sambalpur University provides a range of student services such as a library, hostel facilities,
sports facilities, and counselling services. The library is well-stocked with a variety of books,
journals, and other reading materials. The hostel facilities are also well-maintained, and the
students seemed happy with the quality of accommodation provided. The sports facilities are
also quite impressive, with a range of sports such as cricket, football, and basketball being
offered. However, during my visit, I did not observe any counselling services being offered.
The university should consider providing counselling services to help students deal with
academic, personal, and emotional issues.

2.8 Faculty Members:

The faculty members at Sambalpur University are knowledgeable and experienced in their
respective fields. During my visit, I had the opportunity to interact with some of the faculty
members and was impressed with their level of expertise and commitment. However, some of
the faculty members seemed to be lacking in terms of communication skills and student
engagement. The university should consider providing training to faculty members to
improve their communication skills and to promote more student engagement.

2.9 Faculty and Student Interaction

During my field visit, I had the opportunity to interact with the faculty members and students
of the university. The faculty members were knowledgeable and passionate about their fields
of study and were actively engaged in research and teaching. The students were enthusiastic
and expressed their satisfaction with the academic and research facilities of the university.

2.10 Student Life and Extracurricular Activities

Sambalpur University has a vibrant student community with students from various parts of
the country and abroad. During our visit, we interacted with some of the students who
informed us about the student life and the various extracurricular activities being organized
on the campus. We observed that the university has several clubs and societies for students
with interests in various fields such as music, dance, drama, and sports. The university also
organizes several cultural and sports events throughout the year, providing students with an
opportunity to showcase their talents and skills.

2.11 Community Outreach and Social Responsibility:

Sambalpur University is committed to serving the community and has several initiatives in
place to fulfil its social responsibility. During our visit, we interacted with some of the faculty
members who informed us about the various outreach programs being carried out by the
university. We observed that the university has a strong focus on rural development and has
initiated several programs to improve the quality of life of people in the surrounding areas.
The university also has a strong commitment to environmental sustainability and has taken
several measures to promote eco-friendly practices on the campus.

3. Challenges and Suggestions:

During my field visit, I identified the following challenges faced by Sambalpur University:

 Limited industry-academia interaction: The university needs to foster stronger ties

with industry partners to provide students with more opportunities for internships and
placements.
 Infrastructure maintenance: Some of the academic and research facilities, such as the
laboratories and libraries, require better maintenance and upgradation.
 Faculty shortage: The university needs to recruit more qualified faculty members to
cater to the growing demand for higher education.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the field visit to Sambalpur University revealed a highly conducive academic
environment and adequate infrastructure to support education and research activities. The
university has a highly qualified faculty that is committed to providing quality education to
students. The university also has a good mix of modern and traditional facilities, including
well-stocked libraries, well-equipped laboratories, and research centres.

The hostel facilities were found to be adequate, with a focus on providing students with basic
amenities and nutritious food. The university encourages research activities and provides
students and faculty members with access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment.

Overall, the field visit to Sambalpur University was a positive experience, and it is evident
that the university is committed to providing quality education and research opportunities to
its students. The university's focus on skill development, problem-solving, and industry-
academia partnerships are particularly noteworthy and will undoubtedly prepare students for
a successful future in their chosen fields.