In a significant step towards women’s empowerment in higher education, the Odisha Department of Higher Education has directed district-level nodal colleges to identify and nominate distinguished women professionals as “Shakti Apas.”
The official letter, issued by Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Aravind Agrawal, IAS, calls on principals of District Level Degree Nodal Colleges across the state (except a few listed districts) to select these mentors under the Shaktishree Initiative.
According to the guidelines, Shakti Apas will serve as role models, mentors, and resource persons for girl students in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). Their key mandate is to interact regularly with students and guide them with the aim of promoting safety, empowerment, and overall well-being.
“The Shakti Apas shall periodically interact with and mentor the students with a view to promoting their safety, empowerment, and overall well-being,” the letter states.
This initiative positions accomplished women professionals as accessible guides on campuses, creating a structured support system for female students navigating higher education. By formalising mentorship at the district level, the government aims to strengthen confidence, address safety concerns, and foster a more supportive academic environment for young women across Odisha.
The directive marks a proactive move by the Higher Education Department to embed gender-sensitive support within the state’s college network. Implementation will now rest with the nodal college principals tasked with identifying suitable candidates in their respective districts.
