BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to enhance the quality of higher education of the government-run Universities in Odisha, the Odisha Society of the Americas (OSA) has joined hands with the State Higher Education Department. “The Department of Higher Education of Government of Odisha has invited OSA for a discussion”, informed OSA president Kuku Das. The Global Higher Education Community (GHEC), facilitated by the Department and Odisha Society of the Americas, had a productive meeting recently with the Higher Education Minister, Secretary of the Department and Vice Chancellors of various Universities of Odisha among others, she shared. The international community is ready to offer webinars including topics on institutional development depending on the need of various departments and universities, the representatives of the GHEC assured. The universities will facilitate the international student and faculty exchange programs starting with US universities, the forum members suggested. As per the Higher Education Secretary’s report, Government of Odisha is analysing the WiFi broadband availability in the University campuses which is going to be upgraded expeditiously in all campuses, the meeting revealed. On the possibility of research collaboration, the meeting stressed that the faculty profiles and their research interests will be clearly placed in the university websites so that GHEC and OSA will facilitate the collaboration with the international faculty members and researchers. The proposal of formation for an External Advisory Council for the universities was well received by the Higher Education Minister Arun Sahoo, Principal Secretary Saswat Mishra and the VCs of various universities, starting with inclusion of eminent individuals as Syndicate members, the OSA president said. Education Icon-of-The-Year Award: secured by Utkarsh Gupta, Ramagya Group of Schools CBSE board exams to begin May 4, end June 11 Visva Bharati Recruitment 2021: 106 vacant posts, salary up to 1.44 lakh