Overview
Rama Devi Women's University is a state public university located in Bhubaneswar, in the Khordha district of Odisha, India. It is dedicated exclusively to the higher education of women and offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programmes across the arts, sciences, commerce, and professional disciplines. The institution traces its origins to Rama Devi Women's College, one of the oldest women's colleges in Odisha, which was upgraded to a full-fledged university by the Government of Odisha.
Key facts
| Name | Rama Devi Women's University |
|---|---|
| Type | State public university |
| Focus | Women's education |
| Location | Bhubaneswar, Khordha district, Odisha, India |
| Predecessor | Rama Devi Women's College |
| Named after | Rama Devi Choudhury, Gandhian and freedom fighter from Odisha |
Background
The university is named in honour of Rama Devi Choudhury (1899–1985), a prominent freedom fighter and social reformer of Odisha who was a close associate of Mahatma Gandhi and was widely known as Maa (Mother) in the state. Her involvement in the Salt Satyagraha, the Bhoodan movement, and post-independence social work made her a defining figure in Odia public life, and the institution was named to commemorate her contribution to women's empowerment.
The parent institution, Rama Devi Women's College, was established in Bhubaneswar in the post-independence era and grew into one of the leading women's colleges affiliated with Utkal University. Recognising the demand for an exclusive women's university in eastern India, the Government of Odisha enacted legislation to convert the college into a unitary university.
History
The college was elevated to the status of a state university by the Government of Odisha, becoming the first women's university in the state. The transformation expanded its academic mandate from a primarily teaching college to a degree-granting university with multiple schools and departments, and with the authority to conduct its own examinations and award degrees.
Academics
The university operates through several schools and departments covering humanities, social sciences, natural and physical sciences, commerce and management, and applied disciplines such as home science, journalism, and information technology. Programmes are offered at the bachelor's, master's, M.Phil., and Ph.D. levels. Admission to most programmes is conducted through entrance examinations and academic merit.
Campus
The main campus is situated in Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha, in close proximity to other higher education institutions of the city. The campus includes academic blocks, hostels for women students, a central library, and facilities for sports and cultural activities.
Significance
As a women-only state university, Rama Devi Women's University plays a notable role in promoting access to higher education for women in Odisha and neighbouring regions. It serves as both a teaching and research centre, and its establishment is seen as a step towards institutional support for gender-focused academic spaces in eastern India.
Related topics
- Rama Devi Choudhury
- Bhubaneswar
- Khordha district
- Education in Odisha
- Utkal University
- List of universities in India
- Women's education in India
References
- Wikidata entity: Q7288633
- Government of Odisha, Department of Higher Education — official notifications on state universities.