Bhubaneswar: In a move to make women’s empowerment initiatives more active and accessible on campuses, the higher education department has asked state public universities and govt and non-govt aided colleges to strengthen their Shaktishree Empowerment Cells by designating women faculty members and student representatives for the 2026-27 academic year.Each institution has to designate a Shaktishree Sanojika, preferably a regular female faculty member, to serve as the nodal person for coordinating the activities of the cell and connecting students with its initiatives.The department has also sought greater student participation in the functioning of the cells. Each institution has to select a Shaktishree Saathi, a final-year female student who will act as a peer leader, helping spread awareness, encourage participation and coordinate activities among students.The initiative will also have a presence at the department level, with female class representatives (FCRs) to be selected from every department, according to a directive issued by director of higher education, Kali Prasanna Mohapatra. Wherever the programmes are offered, one final-year undergraduate and one final-year postgraduate female student will be selected as FCRs.The FCRs will serve as a link between female students and the Shaktishree cells, helping communicate their concerns and encourage wider participation in activities related to women’s safety, empowerment and awareness.Mahapatra has asked institutions to make the selections as per the guidelines and procedure issued earlier. Universities and colleges have also been directed to update details of the Sanojika, Saathi and FCRs on the Shaktishree web portal and submit a signed physical copy to the department for official records.The appointments are aimed at ensuring that Shaktishree Empowerment Cells remain functional and have designated faculty and student representatives who can serve as accessible points of contact for students and coordinate activities under the initiative during the 2026-27 academic year.
