After upgradation of century-old Ravenshaw College into Ravenshaw University on November 15, 2006, the first Vice-Chancellor Mr. Devdas Chhotray with the support of all Ravenshawvians, well-wishers of the Institution, the Government and public in general has taken some new initiatives to enhance the glory of this historic Institution.

A Second Campus for the University
The existing heritage building with its 86.4 acres of land and more than 500 rooms originally built-up for 500 students is now inadequate to accommodate its 7000 students and 25 departments. The Government of Orissa on the request of Vice Chancellor has allotted 150 acres of land at Bidanasi, Cuttack for its second campus.

Renovation of Heritage Building and Lecture Halls
Renovation of Lecture Theatres, Classrooms, and heritage building to its original look has been taken up.

Development of Lawns
In order to enhance the aesthetic value of the campus a new lawn has been created to add to the panorama.

The lawn in the quadrangle between heritage building and Kanika Library has been put to its original beauty with coloured flowerbeds on both sides of the paths.Construction of quadrangle path on the periphery of the lawn adjacent to building on four sides is under consideration for movement of students without affecting the lawn.

Introduction of web site
A website viz. " www.ravenshawuniversity.com" is launched for providing all information about the university. The students, guardians, faculties, public in general will be benefited by getting information regarding infrastructure, admission, courses, examination scheduling, results, academic and cultural activities, scholarships/endowments/awards, research activities, placements and many other related matters.

Campus Networking
Steps have been taken for total networking of the campus by connecting the entire infrastructure i.e. departments, library and office. In the second step the hostels will be included in the system. Initially it is planned to have 1:10 computers in the campus for 7,000 students in 2007. Ravenshawvians, NRIs are extending their support to make the historic institution a world class.

Restoration of old historic prizes and awards
Due to paucity of funds some of the historic prizes and awards were not given in yester years. Steps have been taken to restore the same by arranging funds. One such is 'Borasambar Debate' one of the prestigious debate competitions of the historic Ravenshaw College.

Academic Activities
Steps have been taken to conduct semester system of examination in all U.G and P.G courses of the University with effect from 2007-08 admission batch. Admission procedure for the session 2007-08 is being notified in April and May, 2007.

Introduction of Ravenshaw Memorial Lecture
Since the inception of the Ravenshaw College no effort was made for a Memorial Lecture in honour of Mr. T.E. Ravenshaw. For the first time steps have been initiated to introduce 'Ravenshaw Memorial Lecture' in Ravenshaw University with effect from the session 2006-07. Prof. Jean Dreze from Delhi School of Economics gave the inaugural lecture on February 15, 2007 on the topic 'From Famine to Right to Food'.

Renovation of Original Open Air Auditorium
The old and historic open-air auditorium was abandoned for the last 30 years. To restore the original open-air auditorium with 1,500 sitting capacity in place, a new Auditorium with 5000 capacity is in the planning process with an architectural glance to the renovated open air auditorium.

Introduction of FM Radio
Steps have been taken to launch one FM Radio of Ravenshaw University to have its programme available to the staff, students and the public.

Extra curricular activities
Ravenshaw College always had many forums for extra curricular activities. Some of them have become defunct and some others are now dormant. After the formation of Ravenshaw University in November 2006 suggestions were invited from the staff members and students, for creation of new forums for nurturing unexplored, unrealized and hidden talents of the students. The societies are formed for the qualitative and all round development of the students which is not possible in a classroom interaction. Such interaction will give much needed interface with students outside the classroom, enhancing their motivation and creativity.

Based on these suggestions the following societies have now been formed

	Name of the Society	Name of the Convenors
1	Film Society	Dr. Sangeeta Rath, Psychology
2	Cultural Forum	Shri Anoop Kumar Patra, DSW
3	Poetry Society
4	Group Discussion Society	Dr. Swaroop Kumar Banerjee, Pol. Sc
5	Art Centre	Dr. Bimal Prasad Mohapatra, Commerce
6	NSS	Dr. Pritirekha Daspatnaik, Geography
7	Ravenshaw Choir	Shri Anoop Kumar Patra, DSW
8	Photography Society
9	SSG	Dr. Bijay Kishore Dash, Physics
10	Youth Red Cross (YRC)	Dr. Rabi Narayan Patra, Economics
11	Athletic Society	Shri Chinmayananda Jena, English
12	Drama Society	Dr. Smarapriya Mishra, Hindi
13	Science Society
14	Ravenshaw Radio FM	Shri Anoop Kumar Patro, DSW
15	Philately Society	Dr. Sachikanta Balabantray, Geography
16	Wall Magazine	Dr. Asima Sahoo, Pol. Sc
17	Adventure Club	Dr. Jayadev Sahoo, Commerce
18	Recitation Society	Dr. Rajanikanta Nayak, English
19	Oriya Poetry Society	Dr. Tirthananda Mishra, Oriya
20	Oriya Debating Society	Dr. Sasmita Tripathy, History
21	English Debating Society	Dr. Nandita Mohapatra, English
22	Rover’s Crew
23	Stress Management Forum	Dr. Namita Mohanty, Psychology
24	Environment Society	Dr. Padan Kuamr Jena, Botany
25	Book Review Society	Dr. Somarani Chand, History
26	Women’s Forum
27	Quiz Society	Shri Anoop Kumar Patro, DSW
28	Yoga Society	Dr. Gouri Prasad Nayak, Botany
29	Society for Extramural Lectures	Dr. Nihar Ranjan Patnaik, Dean, Social Science
30	Heritage Society

It has been decided in principle that each faculty member as well as each student will associate themselves at least with three such forums. The students’ participation in such extra curricular activities will count towards their internal assessment examination.