Baripada, 18/10: Report by Gourdas giri An induction programme for new students was organized by the Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) of Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University. The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Pramod Kumar Satapathy, attended the event as the Chief Guest. In his address, Professor Satapathy emphasized that distance and online education are the needs of the present and the future. He highlighted how such modes of learning empower individuals by overcoming the limitations of time and place, making education accessible to all. Expressing his delight, he congratulated all university officials, intellectuals of Mayurbhanj, and representatives of the media for their support in successfully reintroducing distance education courses at the university after a long interval. Professor Kamal Lochan Barik, Chairman of the Postgraduate Council, attended as Guest of Honour and stated that the launch of distance education in a tribal-dominated district like Mayurbhanj would open new avenues and opportunities in the lives of students. Professor Sukanta Kumar Nayak, Director of CDOE, delivered the welcome address and elaborated on the objectives and vision of distance and online education. He also reaffirmed CDOE’s commitment to providing quality education in accordance with UGC standards and guidelines. Faculty members of CDOE, including Dr. Sujay Kundu (Department of Social Work), Bishwajit Sadangi (Department of Economics), Dr. Bindheswari Kalia (Department of Odia), and Preetilagna Santoshi Mahakud (Department of English), presented detailed introductions and overviews of their respective courses. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Pratap Kumar Jena, Deputy Director of the Centre. The event was conducted by Abhipsa Pattnayak, Lecturer in the Department of English. During the ceremony, study materials were distributed to the new students. All faculty members and staff of CDOE actively contributed to the successful organization of the programme.