Bhubaneswar, August 16: Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) here joined the rest of the country in celebrating the 78th Independence Day with Pro-Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Sitikantha Mishra hoisting the national tricolor.
Prof. Mishra also took the salute in a colourful parade in which students of the different institutions run by SOA, NSS volunteers of the university and security personnel participated.
In a short address to the students, faculty members and staff, Prof. Mishra underlined the role of the people to uphold the freedom of the country. Freedom comes with responsibility, he said.
Students of different institutions also presented songs and a number of cultural items on the occasion based on patriotic themes.
SOA was recently ranked 14th among universities of the country in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) rankings.
Pro-Vice Chancellor cum Registrar Prof. Bibhuti Bhushan Pradhan, Dean of School of Pharmaceutical Sciences Prof. Sudam Chandra Si, Dean of Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital Prof. (Dr.) Sanghamitra Mishra, Dean of Institute of Dental Sciences Prof. (Dr.) Neeta Mohanty, Dean of Institute of Business and Computer Studies Prof. Anup Samantaray, Dean of Institute of Agricultural Sciences Prof. Santosh Kumar Rout, Dean of School of Hotel Management Prof. Sushant Kumar Chaini, Medical Superintendent of IMS and SUM Hospital Prof. (Dr.) Pusparaj Samantasinhar, Joint Registrar Mr. Bhisma Charan Das, Director (Resource) cum Chief Vigilance Officer Mr. Jugal Kishore Das, Director (Legal Affairs) Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sahu, Director, University Outreach Program Prof. Nachieketa K. Sharma and senior officials were present.
Prof. Jyoti Ranjan Das, Dean (Students’ Welfare) proposed the vote of thanks.
In the parade, students of the Institute of Higher Secondary Education (IHSE), a Plus Two science college run by SOA, walked away with the first prize while Institute of Agricultural Sciences and NSS volunteers finished second and third respectively.
Earlier, Pro-Vice Chancellor cum Registrar, Prof. Pradhan hoisted the national flag at the University office.