Aska Science College, Aska, Ganjam

About Aska Science College, Aska, Ganjam

Aska is strategically located in the southern part of Odisha, well connected by road to all the important places in the State. Rapid urbanisation and the spread of education have changed its scenario and it is now the hub of political, social and economical activities of the state. Further it enjoys the rare distinction of being the torch bearer of co-operative movement having successfully established the first multipurpose co-operative society and sugar industry in Aska. Though dominated by a class of farmers and cane growers, its contribution in the spread of education, industry, agriculture and art is indeed immeasurable.

With the concerted efforts of the people of this town and intellectuals like Late. Kabiraj Krushna Chandra Tripathy, Late. Harihar Das, Sri Duti Krishna Panda, Late. Chandra Sekhra Mishra and others, Aska Science College was established in the year 1968. At first it functioned in a rented accommodation under the Name "Krushak Samabaya Vigyan Mahavidyalaya" (Farmer's Co-operative Science College) the prevailing thrust area of national education policy was on science education. The pioneers of this college channelized their efforts to the national main stream and in a bid to popularise science and obtain financial assistance from University Grants Commission, (UGC) renamed the college as Aska Science College. Later in the year 1976 it shifted to the present building under P.O. Nuagam. This institution has the unique distinction of having been established by generous donations of the cane growers in and around Aska. Sri Duti Krishna Panda, who was the president of the cane growers Association of Ganjam, then, successfully motivated the members to donate one percent of their income for a Noble cause. Late. Harihara Das blended people's ambition, aspiration and money into a single purpose and gave a shape to them. The Aska Multipurpose Co-operative society and Aska Co-operative Sugar Industries Ltd. made substantial financial contributions to ensure smooth functioning of the college.

The administrative support was accorded ungrudgingly by Late. Banamali Patnaik, the then education minister of Odisha, Sri. R.C. Patro, IAS, the Collector, Ganjam and Sri. P.C. Hotta, the Managing Director of Aska Co-operative sugar Industries Ltd. These efforts were efficiently and effectively co-ordinate by Capt. G.K. Padhy the first Principal of this college. Sri R.C. Patro, IAS, Collector, Ganjam become the first president of the managing committee in 1968.

The college is now functioning in a massive three storied building, maintained by the PWD, Govt. of Odisha on an area of 6.182 acres. The concern of his general public and their involvement played a vital role in any development activity and this was amply demonstrated by donation of several acres of land to the college by the people of this vicinity.

The college which started with a small but dedicated group of teachers and a handful of students, has in due course acquired a distinct identity rendering service in catering to the needs of the people imparting education up to degree level in Science, Arts and commerce with honours in Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany Zoology, Political Science, History, Economics, Oriya, English, Hindi and Commerce. Most of its alumni have been respectfully placed indistinguishing positions in and outside the country.

With much confidence and enthusiasm, the college invited the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to make an evaluation of the quality of education, the college has been so far imparting. According the NAAC peer team visited the institution on 24th and 25th March 2007. The result was highly encouraging and the college was a credited as Grade - 'B' College. All the stake holders have resolved to make all-out efforts to upgrade their alma mater by closely following the recommendations of the NAAC Peer Team. The college has set up Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) to monitor quality development programs and the evaluation process.

The Govt. of Odisha has been pleased to start Government Vocational Junior College (GVJC) w.e.f. 2007-2008 session with Computer Technique (CT) and Accountancy & auditing (AA). The UGC has identified this college for the opening of Career Oriented Courses and college has been granted "Computer Application and E-Commerce" to be opened in the commerce stream as an add-on Diploma course w.e.f. 2008-2009 sessions.

The college hopes to achieve its goal and fulfill its mission with the generous and supportive parents, alumni and the students.