Odisha State Open University Celebrates International Women’s Day

Odisha, Sambalpur , March 10, 2025 – : Odisha State Open University (OSOU) celebrated International Women’s Day 2025 with great enthusiasm, recognizing the invaluable contributions of women in both academia and society. The event, held on March 8, 2025, was graced by the esteemed presence of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyam Sundar Pattnaik, Registrar Dr. Chittaranjan Sahu, Controller of Finance Shri Nalini Ranjan Sarangi, along with senior faculty members, staff, and students.The celebration began with a heartfelt gesture of appreciation as women faculty and staff members were presented with a rose flower, symbolizing love, respect, and recognition for their dedication and hard work.

Throughout the event, several faculty members shared insightful discussions on themes such as Women’s Rights, Equality, and Empowerment. These sessions underscored the importance of fostering an environment where women are recognized for their potential and their ability to drive change.

The culmination of the event was marked by an inspiring speech delivered by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyam Sundar Pattnaik, who emphasized the critical role of education in empowering women. Prof. Pattnaik declared a landmark resolution in the university’s mission – OSOU will initiate educational programs for women and girl children in the five adopted villages of the university. This initiative will focus on ensuring access to higher education, computer literacy, and other skills that will help these women and girls uplift themselves through education.

“This initiative is a crucial step in bridging the gender gap in education,” said Prof. Pattnaik. “It is our responsibility as an educational institution to empower women in rural and marginalized areas, offering them opportunities to transform their lives and contribute to society.”

This resolution further strengthens OSOU’s commitment to social responsibility, reinforcing its vision of making higher education more accessible and inclusive, particularly for women from rural and underserved communities.

To ensure widespread engagement, the celebration connected all the Regional Centres of OSOU through virtual mode, enabling participation from a diverse audience across Odisha.

With this commitment to education and empowerment, OSOU is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of women in its adopted villages, contributing to a more equitable and empowered society.