Major higher education and research milestones in Odisha history (work in progress)

(Last Updated on 15th September 2023.)

This grew out of a draft article that I wrote few years ago. I will fill in more details and more items as time permits. Please suggest missing items and links in the comment section. Especially I would like to add information on all the government degree colleges. (A list is at https://sites.google.com/site/orissavision2020/ger-of-ebd-districts.
The list of all degree colleges, about 548 of them, is at
http://dheodisha.gov.in/Defaulter/ReportCollegeProfileSubmitted_DEG.aspx. )

Institution Founding & milestone Years Comments
Puspagiri University in Jajpur district   Mentioned in the writings of Huien Tsang, who visited it in 639 AD. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puspagiri_University and http://www.facebook.com/puspagiri.
Ratnagiri University in Jajpur district   Mentioned in Tibetan Writings. See Mrs. Debala Mitra’s books “Ratnagiri” and “Buddhist Monuments of Odisha“.
Ravenshaw College, Cuttack 1868/2006 Started as an intermediate college in 1868; became a university in 2006. http://ravenshawuniversity.ac.in/.
Radha Nath Institute of Adavanced Studies in Education, Cuttack 1869 Started as Cuttack Normal School. http://www.rniase.org/.
Madhusudan Law College, Cuttack 1869/2020 Origin goes back to 1869. Started as a separate college in 1943. http://www.mslawcollege.org/. Declared as university on 4th March 2020.
Khallikote College, Berhampur 1878/2015 Started as an intermediate college in 1878. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khallikote_Autonomous_College. Became university in 2015.
SKCG College, Parlakhemundi  1896 http://gajapati.nic.in/skcg/Index.Html.
Shailabala Women’s College, Cuttack  1913 Telegraph article: Started intermediate classes in 1913 and graduate classes in 1946. Home page: http://shailabalawomenscollege.com
Utkal University, Bhubaneswar
1943 http://www.utkal-university.org/.
Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, Balasore 1944 A separate FM University was established in Balasore. So this college still exists. http://fmcollege.nic.in/.
Rajendra College, Balangir 1944/2019 http://rajendracollege.nic.in/. Upgraded to University status in 2019. Became official in 2020.
SCS College, Puri 1944 http://www.scscollege.nic.in/default.asp.
GM College, Sambalpur 1944/2015 http://www.gmcollege.org/. Became university in 2015.
SCB Medical College, Cuttack 1944 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shri_Ramachandra_Bhanj_Medical_College.
Christ College, Cuttack 1944 http://www.christcollege.ac.in/.
Stewart Science College, Cuttack 1944 http://stewartsciencecollege.org/.
N.C. Autonomous College, Jajpur 1945 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N.C._Autonomous_College,_Jajpur.
Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack 1946 http://crri.nic.in/.
Vikram Dev College, Jeypore 1947/2023 http://vikramdebcollege.org/.
Declared University on Feb 2, 2023.
MPC College, Baripada 1948 A separate university (Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University; earlier called North Odisha University) was made in Baripada; so this college still exists. http://mpcautocollege.org.in/.
Bhadrak College 1948 http://bhadrakcollege.nic.in/.
Gopabandhu Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya, Puri 1949 http://gampuri.nic.in/.
Madhusudan Institute of Co-operative Management 1955 http://www.micm.ac.in/.
University College of Engineering, Burla 1956 http://www.vssut.ac.in/.
Govt. College of Art and Crafts, Khallikote 1957 http://www.orissaculture.gov.in/gcack.asp.
Govt. College Angul 1957 http://www.gaca.nic.in/.
Dharnidhar Autonomous College, Keonjhar 1957/2023 http://www.ddcollege.nic.in/. Declared University on Feb 12, 2023.
S.B.R. Government Autonomous Women’s College, Berhampur 1958 http://www.sbrgwomenscollege.org/.
Govt. College Sundargarh 1958 http://www.govtcollegesundargarh.org/.
Dhenkanal Autonomous College, Dhenkanal 1959 http://www.dhenkanalcollege.nic.in/.
Vir Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science & Research, Burla (Formerly: VSS Medical College) 1959/2014 http://www.vssmedical.net/. Became a university in 2014. Bill passed on February 14, 2014
Kendrapada Autonomous College 1959 http://www.kendraparacollege.org/.
Government Autonomous College, Phulbani 1960 http://www.govtcollegephulbani.org/.
KKS Women’s College, Balasore 1960 http://kksgovwc.org/.
Panchayat College, Baragarh 1960 http://panchayatcollege.in/.
Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna 1960/61/2019 Started as Kalahandi Science College in 1960; taken over by state government in 1961. Upgraded to University in 2019. http://www.gacbhawanipatna.org/.
Government Women’s College, Puri 1961 http://www.gwcpuri.org.in/.
Government Autonomous College, Rourkela 1961 http://www.gacrkl.ac.in/.
NIT, Rourkela 1961/2002 Started as REC in 1961; became NIT in 2002; NIT act passed in 2007. http://www.nitrkl.ac.in/.
BJB College, Bhubaneswar 1962 http://www.bjbcollege.in/AutonomousCollege/default.asp.
OUAT, Bhubaneswar 1962 Second oldest agricultural university in the country. Has colleges in 4 locations: Bhubaneswar – 6 colleges and 1 center), Rangeilunda (Berhampur) – 1 college , Chipilima (Sambalpur) – 2 colleges and Bhawanipatna – 1 college. http://www.ouat.ac.in/.
MKCG Medical College, Berhampur 1962 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MKCG_Medical_College_and_Hospital.
IMIT Cuttack 1962 http://www.imit.ac.in/.
Dr. Parshuram Mishra Institute of Advanced Studies in Education, Sambalpur 1962-63 http://www.pmiasesambalpur.org/.
SVM Autonomous College, Jagatsinghpur 1963 http://www.svmiqac.org.in/.
Regional Institute of Education (RIE), Bhubaneswar 1963 It is part of NCERT which was set up in 1961. As per this wikipedia entry the Regional College of Educations (RCEs), the predecessor of RIEs were set up in 1963. http://as.ori.nic.in/riebbs/.
IMMT (formerly RRL), Bhubaneswar 1964 http://www.immt.res.in/.
Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya 1964 http://www.usmorissa.org/.
Rama Devi Women’s college, Bhubaneswar 1964/2015 http://www.rdwc.org/. Became university in 2015.
Vyasa Nagar Autonomous College, Jajpur Rd. 1966 http://www.vnautocollege.org/home.asp.
Rayagada Autonomous College 1966 http://www.rayagadacollege.org/.
Sambalpur University 1967 http://www.suniv.ac.in/.
Berhampur University 1967 http://bamu.nic.in/.
Sushilavati Government Women’s College ,Rourkela 1967 http://www.sgwc.edu.in/.
Government Women’s College, Balangir 1967 http://www.womenscollegebalangir.in/.
Aska Science College 1968 http://www.askasciencecollege.com/.
Govt. College (Formerly D.A.V.College), Koraput 1968 http://www.davcollegekoraput.org.in/.
Government Science College, Chatrapur 1969 http://www.gscchatrapur.ac.in/.
Talcher Autonomous College 1969 http://www.talchercollege.org/.
Dr. Abhin Chandra Homeopathic medical college, Bhubaneswar 1969 http://as.ori.nic.in/drachmc/.
Regional Center of Central Institute of Indian Languages 1970 http://www.ciil.org/aboutregional.aspx.
Puri Campus of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan 1971/2020 http://www.sanskrit.nic.in/puri.htm. State operated Sadashiva Sanskrit College was taken over by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and made a campus of it.
In 2020 it became part of the newly established Central Sanskrit University.
National Institute of Social Work and Social Sciences, Bhubaneswar 1971 http://www.niswass.org/.
Institute of Physics, Bhubaneswar 1972 Taken over by DAE in 1985. http://www.iopb.res.in/.
JKBK College, Cuttack 1972 http://jkbkcollege.com/.
Rajdhani College, Bhubaneswar 1973 http://www.rajdhanicollege.org.in/home.html.
Dhenkanal Mahila Mahavidyalaya 1975 http://dhenkanalgovtwomenscollege.org/.
Paradeep College 1975 http://www.paradeepcollege.org/index.php.
SV Nirtar, Cuttack 1975 http://nirtar.nic.in/history.htm.
Government Ayurvedic College, Balangir 1975 http://www.gachbalangirodisha.ac.in/
Kaviraj Ananta Tripathy Sharma Ayurved Mahavidyalaya, Ganjam 1975 http://www.katsaycollege.nic.in/
Ispat Autonomous College, Rourkela 1978 http://www.ispatcollegerkl.com/.
Binayak Acharya College, Berhampur 1978 http://www.binayakacharyacollege.in/.
Govt. Women’s College, Sundargarh 1978 http://gwcsng.org/.
Ekamra College, Bhubaneswar 1978 http://www.ekamracollege.org/.
Govt. Women’s College, Keonjhar 1979 http://www.gwckeonjhar.in/
.
Govt. women’s college at Jeypore 1979 http://govtwomenscollegejeypore.org/.
INS, Chilika 1980 (establishment commissioned) https://www.indiannavy.nic.in/content/ins-chilka-sailor-training-establishmnet. As per the book, “Transition to Eminence: The Indian Navy 1976-1990” by G. M. Hiranandani, in 1986 INS Chilika became Indian Navy’s sole establishment to impart initial training to sailors on entry.
Niranjan Govt. Women’s College, Aska 1980 http://ngwc.in/.
College of Teacher Education (CTE) Rourkela 1981 http://www.cterkl.com/.
Government Women’s College, Bhawanipatna 1981 http://gwcbhawanipatna.org/.
Sri Jagannath Sanskrit University, Puri 1981 http://www.sjsv.nic.in/.
Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC), Bhubaneswar 1981 http://icmr.nic.in/icmrsql/insprofile.asp?insno1=000517.
CET Bhubaneswar 1981 http://www.cet.edu.in/.
Regional College of Management, Bhubaneswar 1982 http://www.rcm.ac.in/. (First management college of Odisha.)
Army Air Defense College, Gopalpur 1984 Link. (Google it if it does not work.)
B. K. College of Art and Craft, Bhubaneswar 1984 http://www.bkartcollege.org/.
Institute of Hotel Management, Bhubaneswar 1984 http://www.ihmbbs.org/about_ihm.htm. Started as a Foodcraft institute in 1973; became State institute of Hotel Management in 1981. Became GOI funded in 1984.
IGIT Sarang 1985 http://www.igitsarang.ac.in/.
CIPET, Bhubaneswar 1986 http://cipet.gov.in/visitourcampus/orissa/orissa.html.
Orissa Engineering College (Odisha’s first private engineering college), Bhubaneswar 1986 http://www.oec.ac.in/.
Orissa institute of maritime and south-east asian studies 1986 http://www.orissaculture.gov.in/oimseas.asp.
Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra Odissi research center 1986 http://www.orissaculture.gov.in/gkcm_orc.asp.
Nabakrushna Choudhury Center for Developmental Studies, Bhubaneswar 1987 http://nkccds.nic.in/.
Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA), Bhubaneswar 1987 http://www.cifa.in/Content.aspx?id=2.
XIM Bhubaneswar 1987 http://www.ximb.ac.in/. Became part of newly established Xavier University in 2013.
Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar 1989 Taken over by Dept. of Biotechnology in 2002.

http://www.ils.res.in/.

Orissa Maritime Academy, Paradeep 1992 http://www.orissamaritime.com/index.html.
IIMC Dhenkanal 1993 http://www.iimc.nic.in/branches-dhenkanal.html.
Degree stream started in OSME Keonjhar 1996 http://osmedegree.org/.
Second and third private Engineering Colleges established 1996 NIST Berhampur, JIET Cuttack.
IITTM Bhubaneswar Campus 1996 http://www.iittmb.in/. References: http://pib.nic.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=94768.
Nine new Private Engineering Colleges 1997 Bhadrak Inst of Engg & Tech, CV Raman, GIET Gunupur, GHITM Puri, ITER, JITM Parlakhemundi, Sanjay Memorial Berhampur, Seemanta Mayurbhanj, KIIT.
One new private Engineering College. First private architecture college.
1998 ABIT.
Ten new private Engineering Colleges 1999 CEB, DRIEMS, Gopal Krishna Jeypore, Krupajala, Majhighariani Rayagada, Padmanava Rourkela, Purushottam Rourkela, Satyasai Balasore, Synergy Dhenkanal.
North Orissa University, Baripada 1999 http://www.nou.nic.in/.
Fakir Mohan University, Balasore 1999 http://www.fmuniversity.nic.in/.
Utkal University of Culture, Bhubaneswar 1999 http://uuc.ac.in/home.aspx.
Institute of Mathematics & Applications, Bhubaneswar 1999 http://www.iomaorissa.ac.in/.
College of IT & Management Education, Bhubaneswar 2000 http://www.cime.ac.in/.
One new private Engineering College 2000 EAST.
Six new private Engineering Colleges 2001 Balasore College of Engg and Tech, IACR Rayagada, KISD, Mahavir, Samanta Chandra Sekhar Koraput, Silicon Bhubaneswar,
Three new private Engineering Colleges 2002 KIST, Padmashree Baragarh, Roland Berhampur.
BPNSI, Puri 2002 http://www.bpnsi.org/glance.htm.
BPUT, Rourkela 2002 http://www.bput.ac.in/.
Two new private Engineering Colleges 2004 GITA, NMIET.
State Institute of Hotel Managament, Balangir 2004/2011 Started as a Food Craft Institute in 2004. http://www.foodcraftbalangir.org/about_institute.htm.

Became State Institute of Hotel Management in 2011.

http://www.sihmbalangir.org/.

KIIT Bhubaneswar became KIIT deemed university 2004 http://www.kiit.ac.in/.
First private medical college: Hi-tech medical college, Bhubaneswar
2005 http://www.hi-techmedical.org/.
First private dental college: Gandhi Dental College, Bhubaneswar 2005 http://www.gdc.edu.in/.
Two new private Engineering Colleges 2005 Techno, Trident.
One new private Engineering Colleges 2006 Gandhi EC Bhubaneswar.
Ravenshaw College became Ravenshaw university 2006 http://ravenshawuniversity.ac.in/.
ITER Bhubaneswar became SOA deemed university 2007 http://www.soauniversity.ac.in/.
IIIT Bhubaneswar 2007/2013 http://www.iiit-bh.ac.in/. IIIT bill (to make it a state university) approved in August 2013.
KIMS (Second private medical college) 2007 http://www.kims.ac.in/.
IMS (Third private medical college) 2007 http://ims.ac.in/.
NISER Bhubaneswar 2007 NIS announced in 2003; NISER announced in 2006. See http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=20345.

http://niser.ac.in/.

Six new private Engineering Colleges 2007 Gandhi IFT Bhubaneswar, Indus, Nalanda, Rajdhani, Sundergarh, Templecity.
Seventeen new private Engineering Colleges 2008 Apex, BEC, Black Diamond Jharsuguda, BRM, Centurion, GIIT Berhampur, GIST Rayagada, GITM Bhubaneswar, Hi-Tech Khurda, Indic, Kalam Berhampur, Koustuv, Maharaja, Modern Balasore, Modern Bhubaneswar, Subas, Vignan Berhampur.
IIHT Baragarh 2008 http://iihtbargarh.webs.com/.
IIT Bhubaneswar 2008 Announced March 28th 2008. See http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=36955.

http://www.iitbbs.ac.in/.

National Law University of Orissa, Cuttack 2008-2009 http://www.nluo.ac.in/.
UCE Burla became VSSUT 2009 http://www.vssut.ac.in/.
Central University of Orissa, Koraput 2009 Announced March 28th 2008. See http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=36955.

http://cuo.ac.in/.

Sri Sri University 2009/2012 http://www.srisriuniversity.edu.in/. Bill passed in 2009. Classes started in 2012.
Vedanta University bill passed in the Odisha assembly 2009 http://www.vedanta.edu.in/.
Parla Maharaj Engineering College, Berhampur 2009 http://www.pmec.ac.in/.
Government Engineering College, Bhawanipatna 2009 http://www.gcekbpatna.ac.in/.
Twenty seven new Private Engineering Colleges 2009 Adarsa Angul, Aryan, BIT, Einstein, Ekalavya, Gandhi AT Berhampur, GIET Khurda, Gurukula, Hi-Tech Bhubaneswar, Indotech, KMBB, Nigam,  Oxford, Rahul Berhampur, Shibani, Silicon Sambalpur, Sophitorium, Spintronic, Srinix Balasore, Suddhananda Cuttack, Synergy Khurda, Vedang, Vikash Baragarh,   VITS, Vijyanjali Balasore, VIVTECH, Xavier.
Seven new private Engineering Colleges 2010 BIIT, Capital, IIET, Radhakrishna, RITAM Rayagada, Kruttika, BAT Bhubaneswar.
ICFAI university Bill passed in the Odisha assembly 2010  
Centurion University of Technology and Management, Parlakhemundi 2010 The HQ of this university is in Parlakhemundi taking over JITM, which was established in 1997. Centurion Institute in Bhubaneswar also became a part of the university.

http://www.cutm.ac.in/.

SU-IIT, Sambalpur 2010 https://suiit.ac.in/.
NIFT, Bhubaneswar 2010 http://www.nift.ac.in/bhubaneswar/index.html.
IIPH (Indian Institute of Public Health), Bhubaneswar 2010 http://www.phfi.org/iiph/iiphb.html.
IMI Bhubaneswar 2011 http://www.imibh.edu.in/.
AIIMS, Bhubaneswar 2012 http://www.aiimsbhubaneswar.edu.in/
Hi-Tech Medical College, Rourkela 2012 http://hi-techmedicalrkl.org/.
XIM University, Bhubaneswar 2013 Established as Xavier University on July 6, 2013. Renamed XIM University on 3rd April 2021. http://www.xim.edu.in/.
BIMTECH Bhubaneswar 2013/2015 Upgraded to Birla Global University in 2015.
Vir Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science & Research, Burla (Formerly: VSS Medical College) 2014 Became an institute with its own act in 2014. Not sure what the point is. It remains affiliated to Sambalpur University. (https://dmetodisha.gov.in/files/VIMSAR%20STATUTE%20NOTIFICATION.pdf) Bill passed on February 14, 2014. http://www.vimsar.ac.in/.
Odisha Open University, Sambalpur 2014 Bill passed in Odisha assembly on December 4th, 2014. http://osou.ac.in/
Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar 2015 http://www.rdwuniversity.nic.in/
Gangadhar Meher University, Sambalpur 2015 http://gmuniversity.ac.in/
Khallikote Unitary University, Berhampur 2015/2021 It went through several ups and downs. Khallikote autonomous College was clubbed with several other colleges to make Khallikote Cluster University in 2015. The cluster university was disestablished in 2021, with other colleges sent back to the jurisdiction of Berhampur University and Khallikote Unitary University was made out of Khallikote autonomous College in 2021.https://kuu.ac.in/
North Odisha University, Second Campus, Keonjhar 2016 At Suleikhamar. http://www.nou.nic.in/home.htm In 2023, it was merged with the newly established Dharanidhar University, Keonjhar
Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar 2015 http://www.bgu.ac.in/. Odisha assembly passed this bill on December 7th, 2015.
IISER, Berhampur 2016 http://www.iiserbpr.ac.in/
Skill Development Institute (SDI), Bhubaneswar 2016 http://www.sdibhubaneswar.in/
ICAR International Center for Foot and Mouth Diseases, Bhubaneswar 2017 http://www.nddb.org/services/engineering/bsl/icfmd.
8 Model degree Colleges 2017 Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Boudh, Deogarh, Nuapada, Subarnapur and Nayagarh. http://dheodisha.gov.in/defaulter/ModelCollegesDEG.aspx
Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital, Baripada 2017 http://prmmchbaripada.in/.
Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital, Koraput 2017 http://www.slnmch.nic.in/.
KISS, Bhubaneswar 2017 Becomes a deemed university under the de-novo category https://www.kiss.ac.in/
Odia University, Satyavadi, Puri 2017 Bill passed in Odisha assembly on September 14, 2017
AIPH University, Bhubaneswar 2017 Bill passed in Odisha assembly on December 15, 2017. It started as an institute in 2008. Its current web page is http://www.aiph.ac.in/
Medical College and Hospital, Balasore 2018 http://gmchbalasore.infocreatives.com/
Medical College and Hospital, Balangir 2018 http://gmchbalangir.infocreatives.com/
Gandhi Institute of Engineering and Technology University, Gunupur 2018 https://giet.edu/.
ICT (Institute of Chemical Technology) Mumbai’s IOC-Bhubaneswar campus 2018 https://iocb.ictmumbai.edu.in/.
National Skill Training Institute, Bhubaneswar 2018 https://www.nationalskillsnetwork.in/nsti-mancheswar-campus/;
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183186
Rajendra University, Balangir 2019 Declared on 2nd March 2019. Became official in 2020. https://rajendrauniversity.ac.in/. Rajendra College was established in 1944.
Utkal University, Rural Campus, Chandikohole 2019 Jajpur District. Webpage: https://utkaluniversity.ac.in/new-campus-rural/
Kalahandi University, Bhawanipatna 2019 Declared on 6th March 2019. https://kalahandiuniversity.ac.in/. Its precursor Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna was established in 1960.
ASBM University, Bhubaneswar 2019 Bill passed on August 4, 2019.
https://www.asbm.ac.in/. It was established as a college in 2006.
CVRCE Global University, Bhubaneswar 2019 Bill passed in the assembly on 28th November 2019. http://cvrce.edu.in/
Central Sanskrit University, Sri Sadashiv Campus, Puri 2020 In 1971 state operated Sadashiva Sanskrit College was taken over by the Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan and made a campus of it.
In 2020 it became a campus of the newly established Central Sanskrit University. https://www.sanskrit.nic.in/CAMPUS_Shri_Sadashiv.php
Jagadguru Kripalu University, Cuttack 2020 Bill approved by the cabinet on 16th Nov 2019. Bill passed by Odisha assembly on 19th February 2020. http://www.jkuniversity.in/.
World Skills Center, Bhubaneswar 2021 Inaugurated by the CM on March 5th, 2021. https://www.worldskillcenter.org/
ISPAT Post Graduate Institute and Super Speciality Hospital, Rourkela 2021 Dedicated to the nation by the honorable President on 21st March 2021.
Odisha University of Health Sciences, Bhubaneswar 2021/2023 Bill approved by the cabinet on March 2021. Bill published in Odisha Gazette on July 31st 2021. See https://www.egazetteodisha.nic.in/uploads/press_signed_pdf/861bdd7d-53e3-47ac-80ad-4d0b9a658b93.pdf. Bill presented to the Odisha assembly on 1st September 2021 and passed on 2nd September 2021. Became operational on 5th March 2023. Webpage: http://www.ouhs.ac.in/
Odisha University of Technology & Research, Bhubaneswar 2021 Bill approved by the cabinet on July 2021. Bill presented to the Odisha assembly on 1st September 2021. Bill passed on 4th September 2021. This was an upgradation of CET Bhubaneswar. Webpage: https://www.cet.edu.in/
Sri Jagganath Medical College and Hospital, Puri 2021 Listed in https://www.nmc.org.in/information-desk/for-students-to-study-in-india/list-of-college-teaching-mbbs/ with approval dates of 1st November 2021. First batch 2021-2022. Webpage: https://sjmch.odisha.gov.in/
DRIEMS University, Cuttack 2022 Bill passed in the assembly on 4th July 2022. https://www.driems.ac.in/
Government Medical College and Hospital, Keonjhar 2022 Admission started in 2022-23 batch. Webpage: https://gmchkeonjhar.odisha.gov.in/
Government Medical College and Hospital, Sundargarh 2022 Admission started in 2022-23 batch. Webpage: https://gmchsng.odisha.gov.in/
Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER) and Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar 2022 PG Admission started in 2022-23 batch.
Webpage: https://pgimerch.odisha.gov.in/
Vikram Dev University, Jeypore 2023 Declared University on 2nd February 2023. https://www.vikramdebcollege.ac.in/
Dharanidhar University, Keonjhar 2023 Declared University on Feb 12, 2023. http://www.ddcollege.nic.in/.
Medical College and Hospital, Kalahandi 2023 Classes started in 2023-24.
https://srmmch.odisha.gov.in/.
DRIEMS Medical College and Hospital, Tangi, Cuttack 2023 Classes started in 2023-24.
NIST University, Berhampur 2023 Cabinet approval on September 15th 2023. Passed in the Odisha assembly on September 27th 2023. http://www.nist.edu/.
Silicon University Bhubaneswar 2023 Cabinet approval on September 15th 2023. Passed in the Odisha assembly on September 27th 2023. https://www.silicon.ac.in/.
Medical College and Hospital, Jajpur 2024 Expected to start in 2024-25.
Medical College and Hospital, Phulbani 2024 Expected to start in 2024-25.
Mahanadi Institute of Medical Science & Research, Talcher 2024 Expected to start in 2024-25.
6 more Model Degree Colleges 2023? MHRD announced 6 more degree colleges in Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Dhenkanal, Bolangir and Koraput at a cost of 12 crore each. See
http://tathya.in/news/26324/0/Action-Plan-For-Model-Colleges
Indian Institute of Skills, Bhubaneswar 20XX? In the works.
https://www.facebook.com/1602657486712785/videos/2001734433471753/
;
http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184344
Advanced Training Institute (ATI), Bhubaneswar Announced in 2016 See news reports on this at http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bhubaneswar/Skill-development-ministry-approves-advanced-training-institute-for-Bhubaneswar/articleshow/52633856.cms.
Xavier Business School, Rourkela Announced in 2015  
Regional Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Bhubaneswar   See news reports on this at https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/5679.
World Class University (later called University of Innovation), Bhubaneswar   Announced March 28th 2008. See http://iit.orissalinks.com/vol4/20080328%20IIT%20in%20Orissa%20-%20Center%20agrees.pdf.

7 comments April 1st, 2011

NALCO to set up a carbon sequestration unit in its power plant in Angul; The National Academy of Engineering of US considers carbon sequestration as one of the 14 engineering grand challenges awaiting solutions in the 21st century

Following is an excerpt from a report in Orissadiary.

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna PSU, under Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, has become the first PSU in India by implementing a pilot-cum-demonstration project on Carbon Sequestration in its Captive Power Plant at Angul.

… Nalco has earmarked an area of 0.18 acre for the project to adopt an advanced and innovative technology by engaging the firm M/s Indo-Can Technology Solutions (ICTS), a pioneer in the area of bio-technology solutions, for providing technical consultancy and rendering necessary services to guide Nalco for successful completion of the project within 18 months.

Carbon sequestration is a method for managing and storing of carbon dioxide (CO2) or other forms of Carbon that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere by burning carbon-based fuels. It is a relatively new idea brought about by the worldwide concern that high concentrations of atmospheric CO2 contribute to global warming.

Since Orissa is having huge coal reserves, a large number of Thermal Power Plants and Industries having large power requirements are coming up in the State and this trend will continue to grow in future. These power plants emit huge quantity of CO2 to the atmosphere. In the recent Copenhagen summit India has volunteered to cut down the rate of emission of Green House Gases (GHG) by 20% by 2020.

A battery of system would be introduced into the flue gas stream to clean the flue gas to suit cultivation of algae.

Algae, a kind of microorganism, is the most efficient photosynthetic and CO2 sequestering organism on earth and its productivity potential can be increased by supplementing with high concentrations of CO2, a characteristic not matched by plants, thus making algae more productive than any other crop. Micro-algae could achieve growth rate that is ten times more than that of other land plants. Faster growth implies more photosynthesis and hence higher CO2 consumption. India being in the temperate climate zone is best suited for algae cultivation.

The algae so produced can be used for production of bio-fuel, Poultry & Cattle feed, Aquaculture Feed, pharmaceutical products and a kind of organic fuel having high calorific value. By successfully implementing this project NALCO can pursue to avail the benefit of Carbon Credits under Clean Development Mechanism in two ways (i) through the process of Carbon capturing from flue gas and (ii) also through Bio-Energy and bio product generation.

Carbon Sequestration is a very important research area in Engineering and is in the list of 14 grand challenges awaiting solutions in the 21st century compiled by the US National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Committee on Engineering’s Grand Challenges. See http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9077.aspx for details. I hope one of the research institutions in Odisha partner with NALCO and others having thermal power plants in Odisha to pursue research in this area.

Following is a big excerpt from the NAE site.

What is carbon sequestration?

Carbon sequestration is capturing the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels and storing it safely away from the atmosphere.

How do you capture CO2?

Methods already exist for key parts of the sequestration process. A chemical system for capturing carbon dioxide is already used at some facilities for commercial purposes, such as beverage carbonation and dry ice manufacture. The same approach could be adapted for coal-burning electric power plants, where smokestacks could be replaced with absorption towers. One tower would contain chemicals that isolate carbon dioxide from the other gases (nitrogen and water vapor) that escape into the air and absorb it. A second tower would separate the carbon dioxide from the absorbing chemicals, allowing them to be returned to the first tower for reuse.

A variation to this approach would alter the combustion process at the outset, burning coal in pure oxygen rather than ordinary air. That would make separating the carbon dioxide from the exhaust much easier, as it would be mixed only with water vapor, and not with nitrogen. It’s relatively simple to condense the water vapor, leaving pure carbon dioxide gas that can be piped away for storage.

In this case, though, a different separation problem emerges — the initial need for pure oxygen, which is created by separating it from nitrogen and other trace gases in the air. If that process can be made economical, it would be feasible to retrofit existing power plants with a pure oxygen combustion system, simplifying and reducing the cost of carbon dioxide capture.

Advanced methods for generating power from coal might also provide opportunities for capturing carbon dioxide. In coal-gasification units, an emerging technology, coal is burned to produce a synthetic gas, typically containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Adding steam, along with a catalyst, to the synthetic gas converts the carbon monoxide into additional hydrogen and carbon dioxide that can be filtered out of the system. The hydrogen can be used in a gas turbine (similar to a jet engine) to produce electric power.

How do you store CO2?

Several underground possibilities have been investigated. Logical places include old gas and oil fields. Storage in depleted oil fields, for example, offers an important economic advantage — the carbon dioxide interacts with the remaining oil to make it easier to remove. Some fields already make use of carbon dioxide to enhance the recovery of hard-to-get oil. Injecting carbon dioxide dislodges oil trapped in the pores of underground rock, and carbon dioxide’s presence reduces the friction impeding the flow of oil through the rock to wells.

Depleted oil and gas fields do not, however, have the capacity to store the amounts of carbon dioxide that eventually will need to be sequestered. By some estimates, the world will need reservoirs capable of containing a trillion tons of carbon dioxide by the end of the century. That amount could possibly be accommodated by sedimentary rock formations with pores containing salty water (brine).

The best sedimentary brine formations would be those more than 800 meters deep — far below sources of drinking water, and at a depth where high pressure will maintain the carbon dioxide in a high-density state.

Sedimentary rocks that contain brine are abundantly available, but the concern remains whether they will be secure enough to store carbon dioxide for centuries or millennia. Faults or fissures in overlying rock might allow carbon dioxide to slowly escape, so it will be an engineering challenge to choose, design, and monitor such storage sites carefully. 

Concerns about leaks suggest to some experts that the best strategy might be literally deep-sixing carbon dioxide, by injecting it into sediments beneath the ocean floor. High pressure from above would keep the carbon dioxide in the sediments and out of the ocean itself. It might cost more to implement than other methods, but it would be free from worries about leaks. And in the case of some coastal sites of carbon dioxide production, ocean sequestration might be a more attractive strategy than transporting it to far-off sedimentary basins.

It is also possible that engineers will be able to develop new techniques for sequestering carbon dioxide that are based upon natural processes. For example, when atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide increased in geologic times to a certain unknown threshold, it went into the ocean and combined with positively charged calcium ions to form calcium carbonate – limestone. Similarly, engineers might devise ways of pumping carbon dioxide into the ocean in ways that would lock it eternally into rock.

It may well be that multiple strategies and storage locations will be needed to solve this problem, but the prospect for success appears high. “Scientific and economic challenges still exist,” writes Harvard geoscientist Daniel Schrag, “but none are serious enough to suggest that carbon capture and storage will not work at the scale required to offset trillions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the next century.” [Schrag, p. 812]

 

References

Herzog, H., and D. Golomb.  2004.  Carbon Capture and Storage from Fossil Fuel Use.  Encyclopedia of Energy, ed. C.J. Cleveland.  Vol. 1.  Elsevier Science: .

Lal, R.  2004.  Carbon Sequestration, Terrestrial.  Encyclopedia of Energy, Vol. 1 (Elsevier Inc.).

Schrag, D.P.,  et al.  2007.  Preparing to Capture Carbon,” Science 315, p. 812. DOI: 10.1126/science.1137632.

Socolow, R.H.  2005.  Can We Bury Global Warming?  Scientific American (July 2005), pp. 49-55.

Zenz House, K. et al.  2006.   Permanent carbon dioxide storage in deep-sea sediments,” Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 103 (15 August 2006), pp. 12291-12295.

 

March 22nd, 2011

Special allocations to selected institutions in this budget

Following is compiled from a report in India Today, a report in Telegraph and a report in Hindu.

  • Rs 200 crore one-time grant to IIT-Kharagpur (West Bengal)
  • Rs 50 crore for Aligarh Muslim University centre at Murshidabad (West Bengal)
  • Rs 20 crore for IIM-Calcutta to set up its Financial Research and Trading Laboratory (West Bengal)
  • Rs 10 crore for the Kolkata centre of the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (West Bengal)
  • Rs 10 crore for the Allahabad centre of the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya (UP)
  • Rs 100 crore one-time grant to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University at Pookode (Kerala)
  • Rs 50 crore for Aligarh Muslim University centre at Malappuram (Kerala)
  • Rs.15 crore has been allocated for the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) at Karyavattom. (Kerala)
  • Rs 20 crore for Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (Tamil Nadu)
  • Rs 10 crore for Madras School of Economics (Tamil Nadu)
  • Rs 10 crore for Delhi School of Economics (Delhi)

2 comments March 2nd, 2011

2011-12 budget allocations for various HRD institutions

The 2011-12 budget is available at http://indiabudget.nic.in/ebmain.asp. The HRD budget page is http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2011-12/eb/sbe59.pdf. Following is from those pages.

MHRD: Higher Education:

  • Total budget for Higher Education: 21912 crores.   (2010-11: 18206 crores)
  • UGC: Total budget is 8675.66 crores. (2010-11: 7530.19 crores) [Includes the budget of the old and new central universities.]**CUO Koraput**
  • Educational Loan interest subsidy: 640 crores (2010-11: 500 crores; this program was introduced in 2010-11.)
  • 7 old IITs: 2081.68 crores (2010-11: 1771.71 crores)
  • Setting up of 8 new IITs: 500 crores (2010-11: 250 crores)**IIT Bhubaneswar**
  • IISc Bangalore: 290.41 crores (2010-11: 267.65 crores)
  • ISMU Dhanbad: 138.68 crores (2010-11: 122.47 crores)
  • 5 IISERs: 580 crores (2010-11: 450 crores)
  • 20 NITs: 1378.58 crores (2010-11: 1292.51 crores)**NIT Rourkela**
  • Setting up of new NITs: 40 crores (2010-11: 16.81 crores)
  • IIEST: 25 crores
  • 7 old IIMs (Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Kolkata, Lucknow, Kozhikode, Indore, Shillong): 148.93 crores (2010-11: 108.8 crores)
  • Setting up of new IIMs: 60 crores (2010-11: 13 crores)
  • IIITs:  Gwalior – 39.38 crores; Allahabad  – 52.35 crores; Jabalpur – 40 crores; Kanchipuram – 70 crores.
  • New IIITs: 29 crores **IIIT Berhampur ??**
  • SLIET: 39.03 crores (2010-11: 27 crores)
  • NERIST: 39.66 crores (2010-11: 36.34 crores)

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare:

  • Total: 26897 crores (2010-11: 23300 crores)
  • Safdarjang Hospital, New Delhi: 345 crores (2010-11: 330.69 crores)
  • Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi: 283 crores (2010-11: 257.54 crores)
  • Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi: 67 crores (2010-11: 52.03 crores)
  • All India Institute of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mumbai: 14.5 crores (2010-11: 11.6 crores)
  • Kalawati Saran Children’s Hospital, New Delhi: 56.22 crores (2010-11: 53.91 crores)
  • Vallabh Bhai Patel Chest Institute, Delhi University: 33.4 crores (2010-11: 30.72 crores)
  • Lady Hardinge Medical College & Smt. Sucheta Kripalani Hospital New Delhi: 194 crores (2010-11: 174.72 crores)
  • NIMHANS Bangalore: 166.23 crores (2010-11: 140.46 crores)
  • All India Institute of Speech & Hearing, Mysore: 41 crores (2010-11: 34.35 crores)
  • PGIMER, Chandigarh: 470 crores (2010-11: 407 crores)
  • JIPGMER, Puducherry: 250 crores (2010-11: 266 crores)
  • AIIMS New Delhi: 1022.35 crores (2010-11: 985 crores)
  • 6 New AIIIMS-like institutions and upgrading of state govt. hospitals: 1616.57 crores (2010-11: 747 crores)**AIIMS-like Bhubaneswar**

Department of Atomic Energy:

  • Total: 7602.41 crores (2010-11: 6535.29 crores)
  • BARC, Mumbai: 2554 crores (2010-11: 2338.20 crores)
  • IGCAR, Kalpakkam: 711.70 crores (2010-11: 454 crores)
  • RRCAT, Indore: 248.15 crores (2010-11: 226.25 crores)
  • VECC, Kolkata: 155.69 crores (2010-11: 106.54 crores)
  • TIFR, Mumbai: 510.38 crores (2010-11: 417.30 crores)
  • Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai: 289.78 crores (2010-11: 286.60 crores)
  • Saha Institute, Kolkata:  117.05 crores (2010-11: 116.9  crores)
  • Institute Of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar: 239.6 crores (2010-11:  76.86 crores)
  • Harish-Chandra Institute, Allahabad: 25.8 crores (2010-11: 19.74  crores)
  • Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai: 28 crores (2010-11: 27.5  crores)
  • Institute of Plasma Research, Gandhinagar: 564.48 crores (2010-11: 384.63 crores)

(IOP’s budget used to be around 20-25 crores, close to the budget of HCI Allahabad and IMS Chennai. The substantially higher amount is because it includes the budget of NISER, Bhubaneswar. I wonder why NISER does not have a line item budget.)

Ministry of Statistics and programme Implementation

  • Indian Statistical Institute: 141 Crores (2010-11: 131.76 crores)

Ministry of Textiles

  • National Institute of Fashion Technology: 167 crores (2010-11: 108 crores) [Several campuses, including one in Bhubaneswar]

Ministry of Environment and Forests

  • Indian Institute of Forest Management: 12.5 crores (2010-11: 12.5 crores)

Department of Space

  • Vikram Sarabhai Space Center: 686.03 crores (2010-11: 603.05 crores)
  • ISRO-Inertial Systems Unit: 39.74 crores (2010-11: 29.63 crores)
  • Liquid propulsions systems center: 314.33 crores (2010-11: 271.32 crores)
  • Indian Institute of Space Science & Technology: 100 crores (2010-11: 100 crores)
  • ISRO Satellite Center (ISAC): 320.69 crores (2010-11: 348.10 crores)
  • Laboratory for Electro-Optics System: 42.85 crores (2010-11: 36.71 crores)
  • Semi-Conductor Laboratory: 80 crores (2010-11: 58 crores)
  • Satish Dhawan Space Center: 434.77 crores (2010-11: 364.41 crores)
  • Space Application Center: 420.75 crores (2010-11: 300.86 crores)
  • National Remote Sensing Center: 223.80 crores (2010-11: 222.2 crores)
  • Physical Research Laboratory: 80.7 crores (2010-11: 47.13 crores)
  • National Atmospheric Research Laboratory: 19.34 crores (2010-11: 9.1 crores

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

  • Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology:  39 crores (2010-11: 36 crores)

Ministry of Chemical and Fertlizers

  • NIPER (old and several new ones): 132.31 crores (2010-11: 71.22 crores)
  • CIPET: 44.32 crores (2010-11: 74.55 crores) [*Several campuses including one in Bhubaneswar*]
  • Institute of Pesticides Formulation Technology: 4 crores (2010-11: 3.19 crores)

Ministry of Agriculture

  • National Institute of Biotic Stress Management: 20 crores (new)
  • Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology: 30 crores (new)
  • Central Agricultural University, Bundelkhand: 30 crores (new)

Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

  • Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development: 10.8 crores (2010-11: 9.9 crores)
  • Laxmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education: 24.63 crores (2010-11: 36.63 crores)
  • Laxmi Bai National Institute of Physical Education – NE area and Sikkim Initiative: 15 crores (2010-11: 3 crores)

Ministry of Science & Technology

  • 23 autonomous S & T institutions and professional bodies: 713 crores (2010-11: 589 crores)
  • 14 autonomous Biotechnology R & D institutions: 378.35 crores (2010-11: 330.1 crores) **Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar**
  • 37 CSIR National Laboratories and 38 field centers: 2312.68 crores (2010-11: 2083.84 crores)
  • Institute of Translational Research (Innovation Complexes): 10 crores (new) [To be created at strategic locations.]

Ministry of Culture

  • National School of Drama: 21.2 crores (2010-11: 21.95 crores)

Ministry of Shipping

  • Indian Maritime University: 41 crores (2010-11: 26 crores)

Ministry of Tourism

  • Training (22 institutes of Hotel Management; 5 Food Craft Institutes; IITTM; National Institute of Water Sports): 123 crores (2010-11: 109.22 crores)

Department of Information Technology

  • National Informatic Centers: 679 crores (2010-11: 628 crores)
  • C-DAC: 185.4 crores (2010-11: 163 crores)

Ministry of Corporate Affairs

  • Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs: 28 crores (2010-11: 87.36 crores)

Ministry of Commerce

  • National Institute of Design: 9.5 crores (2010-11: 11.49 crores)
  • National Institute of Intellectual Property Management: 8.4 crores (2010-11: 10.3 crores)
  • Central Manufacturing Technology Institutes: 5.5 crores (2010-11: 4.24 crores)

I have not been able to figure out which ministry funds the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade. Also, if I am missing some institutes which I should include, please let me know.

1 comment March 1st, 2011

Odisha must push for an ISMU branch

Following up on our earlier article, Odisha must push for an ISMU branch. The logic behind Assam getting an RGIPT branch is that Assam has a lot of petroleum related oil wells and refineries. By the same logic, Odisha tops the states in India with respect to its mineral output. Following is from a report in Business Standard.

With minerals produced in the state in 2009-10 valued at Rs 15,317 crore, Orissa has 13.10 percent share of the total value of minerals produced by major states in the country, followed by Madhya Pradesh (7.70 percent), Andhra Pradesh (7.21 percent), Maharashtra (4.92 percent), Gujarat (4.65 percent), Karnataka (3.96 percent), Tamil Nadu (3.21 percent), Rajasthan (2.99 percent), Assam (2.96 percent), West Bengal (2.78 percent).

According to the Economic Survey report (2010-11), the value of minerals extracted in Orissa has gone up by more than four times from Rs 3694 crore to Rs 15,317 crore between 2002-03 and 2009-10 coinciding with the boom in the mineral market during this period.

Orissa boasts of 95 percent of country’s chromite deposit, 92 percent of nickel ore, 55 percent of bauxite and 33 percent of iron ore. Besides, the state has substantial quantity of other minerals and ores like coal, manganese, dolomite, graphite and limestone.

With the iron ore prices spiraling, this commodity naturally leads the pack of minerals in terms of production and value. The state produced 79.7 million tonnes of iron ore in 2009-10 valued at Rs 7976 crore. This is followed by coal (105.5 million tonnes valued at Rs 5548 crore and chromite (3.4 million tonne valued at Rs 1167 crore).

Similarly, iron ore constituted 95.4 percent of the total exports of minerals from the state. About 15 million tonnes of iron ore was exported in 2009-10 valued at Rs 4224 core compared to exports of 0.46 million tonnes of chrome ore valued at Rs 464 crore and 0.25 million tonnes of mineral sand valued at Rs 72.32 crore.

One of the disturbing factors highlighted by the report is that with mining and quarrying sector gradually shifting to labour saving and capital-intensive technology, the total employment in the sector has been decreasing over the years. As a result, the number of direct employment in the mineral sector in Orissa has come down from 55764 in 2005-06 to 43705 in 2009-10.

It may be noted, with mineral deposits mostly occurring in the tribal belt of the state, this sector employs substantial number of tribals.

When ISM was made in Dhanbad, that region was perhaps the leader in mineral output (mainly coal) in the country. Odisha with a variety of minerals needs an ISM branch and we must push for it hard.

Related to that recently the Chief Minister has been concerned about the coal block allocation in Odisha. Following is an excerpt from a report in Economic Times on that.

Orissa government has taken strong exception to the coal ministry’s unilateral decision to allot coal blocks without consulting the state.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has shot off a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh urging him to review the allocation of coal blocks in Orissa. The coal ministry has allotted 32 coal blocks with an estimated reserve of about 15,000 million tons to 56 private and government agencies.

Mr Patnaik made it clear that a comprehensive regional master plan should have been prepared prior to allotment of huge number of coal mines in inhabited and environmentally sensitive areas in the state. Focus has to be given for infrastructure development, logistic planning, land requirements, rehabilitation and resettlement, environment impact studies and mitigation measures, the letter said.

Expressing serious concerns over the adverse environmental impact in post operationalisation of such a large number of coal blocks, Mr Patnaik pointed out that coal mining would cause deforestation and air pollution. Sources close to CM’s officer said, the letter also had pointed out that it might not be possible for the state to accommodate new coal mines by jeopardizing its environmental stability. The coal ministry needs to be advised to take a pragmatic and planned approach, keeping the interests and concerns of all stake holders including the state government in mind, the letter said.

For making the 32 coal blocks functional, 325 sq km shall have to be acquired within few years and another equivalent amount of land would be needed for allied activities like coal handling plants, siding, workshop, and residential colonies for project affected people, compensatory afforestation and other infrastructural facilities including roads.

This would lead to massive displacement and consequent socio-economic and environmental crisis, the chief minister is understood to have stated in his missive to the PM. However, such large-scale land acquisition and displacement could be avoided if coal blocks are allotted and developed in a planned and phased manner, Naveen added.

Incidentally, Orissa is already on the throes of severe climate change due to setting up of huge number of coal fired power plants threatening the livelihood of farmers and fishermen who form 70 % of the state’s population shall be severely hit due to irregular monsoons and erratic rainfall patterns.

Most of the power produced shall be transmitted to other states while the people of the state shall be the unwilling victims of the effects on climate change and pollution caused by the huge quantities of green house gases (GHGs) and fly ash generated.

“Coal mining is done either underground or open cast. In Orissa mostly open cast mining is done. When coal surfaces are exposed, pyrite (iron sulfide), comes in contact with water and air forming sulfuric acid. As water drains from the mine, the acid moves into the waterways, and as long as rain falls on the mine tailings the sulfuric acid production continues, whether the mine is still operating or not. Proper and holistic environmental protection measures are not taken by the owners of coal mines”, former director general of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research [CSIR] and currently, chairman, Institute of Advance Technology and Environmental Studies (IATES), P. K. Jena on Thursday told “The ET”.

This reinforces our thought that the civil society andthe government of Odisha must together push for  an ISMU campus in Odisha that will specialize in all the issues mentioned above.

Please add aditional pointers in the comment section. As soon as the Malkangiri sutiation gets resolved we will start a movement to get an ISMU campus to Odisha.

1 comment February 21st, 2011

PM inaugurates RGIPT second campus in Sibsagar Assam; Odisha must use the same logic and push for an ISMU campus in Odisha (PM also inugurated second campus of NID in Jorhat)

(Thanks to Kalahandia for the pointer.)

Apparently the second campus of RGIPT in Assam was announced by the PM in August 2008. Somehow we missed it. Following is an excerpt from a report in Times of India.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday laid the foundations of the National Institute of Design (NID) and Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology (Assam centre) in Jorhat and Sivasagar districts respectively.

Addressing a gathering in Sivasagar, Singh said, "It is befitting that the institute has been named after the late Rajiv Gandhi, our beloved leader and former Prime Minister of India. His contribution to modernization and development of our country was immense. He believed that the application of science and technology was critical to our development process."

He added that the institute, which will be a world class establishment in the petro-chemical sector, will be constructed at a cost of Rs 148 crore from central funds. "The place will offer degree, diploma and certificate courses to unemployed youths of the state. It will also provide special research on a particular subject," he said.

The Prime Minister added that the institute’s academic year will start from August this year. He said it was a centre of the main institute at Rae Barelly and its main objective was to promote capacity building in competency related to the domain of hydro carbon sector.

Using the same logic Odisha should push for a second campus of the Indian School of Mines University in one of the mining hubs of Odisha.

As far as NID is concerned the previous Commerce minister Kamal Nath had many times mentioned Odisha as a possibility; however because of our mistakes (see herehere and here) we lost it. I hope we learn from our mistakes.

In general there are several institutions we should target for the 12th plan. See https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/5859 for an initial list. However, if one were to prioritize, a campus of ISMU will have the highest monetary value; as these days ISMU is almost as good as an IIT and has most of the disciplines that an IIT has. ISMU Dhanbad currently has a faculty size of 170. Its budget for 2009-2010 was 128 crores (= 85 plan + 43 non-plan) and for 2010-2011 was 122.47 (=89 plan + 33.47 non-plan) crores. In comparison, the 2010-11 budget for the 7 old IITs were a total of 1600  (= 774 plan+ 826 non-plan ) crores and the 2010-11 budget for the 20 old NITs were a total of 1317.51 (= 810 plan + 507.51 non-plan) crores. So ISM’s budget (122.47 crores) lies between the average NIT budget (65 crores appx) and average IIT budget (228.5 crores).

1 comment February 20th, 2011

New tribal university in Andhra Pradesh; not clear if it is a centrally funded one or a state funded one

Going back to April 2010, there are several news regarding establishment of a tribal university in Andhra Pradesh. The early news reports talked about it being a state initiative. However, the recent news reports mention experts from outside being involved in evaluating locations and in reporting to the center, which suggests that the center may also be involved in the making of this university. We now give several excerpts.

From Hindu (April 26, 2010)

Dogged by the question of a dismal State of higher learning among tribals in the State, the government is ‘seriously’ contemplating establishment of a Tribal University. “A strong demand from tribal groups and other concerned sections of society in the recent past has made the government to sit up and think on the ways and means to establish a university,” divulges a top-level source in the Tribal Welfare Department.

“The government had initially explored the possibility of converting Srikakulam’s MG University into a Tribal University. This idea was dropped due to certain practical difficulties,” recalls the officer about the efforts made by the government so far.

The government has also rejected an offer from the Tribal University at Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh for affiliating some of the colleges here with it.

From Hindu (Jan 23, 2011):

Andhra Pradesh Tribal University is all set to come up on a 300-acre site in Chintapalle.

A study team of senior professors led by Samaresh Bandopadhyay (Kolkata) with Sudarshan Nadu (Bhubaneswar), Joseph Bara (JNU) and Registrar of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University from Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh, Ashok Singh, which inspected the site on Friday, will be submitting feasibility report to the Centre.

“We are absolutely happy that a lot of land is available with facilities like power, water and connectivity. In fact, this place is more accessible than Amarkantak where there is already a university,” Prof. Bandopadhyay told The Hindu at the Visakhapatnam airport after returning from Chintapalle on Saturday noon. The tribal university would provide avenues of education, particularly higher education and research facilities primarily for the tribal population of the country, he said. If everything went on well, the new university at Chintapalle could be started by June, he added.

From TOI (Feb 3, 2011)

While the Centre is mulling to set up the campus at Chintapalle in Visakhapatnam Agency, …

IGNTU, located in the small pilgrim town of Amarkantak in Anuppur district in Madhya Pradesh, became functional some time ago and has already established its regional campus in Manipur after the state government handed over 370 acres of land for establishment of a permanent campus. Sources said IGNTU was also approached by Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Kerala and Gujarat to open its regional campuses in the respective states.

The government had initially explored the possibility of converting Srikakulam’s Mahatma Gandhi University into a tribal university.

"But the idea was dropped due to practical difficulties and logistical problems. Visakhapatnam became a potential site for the campus as it has basic amenities like power, water and better connectivity," a senior official said.

… After visiting some sites here, the team of senior professors led by registrar of IGNTU Ashok Singh said they would be submitting a report to the Centre soon.

Note that the idea  for a central tribal university was suggested by Orissa CM, on 24th October 2005, which the HRD minister had appreciated. See our earlier posting at https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/1087 for more details. 

2 comments February 3rd, 2011

Details emerging on Vedanta Science College in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi

Following is an excerpt from a report in tathya.in.

Prof. Gopabandhu Behera and Dr. A. K. Nanda, who are also the Governing Body member of Vedanta Science College were also present. 

Mr.C Joseph, in-charge of the Vedanta Science College, Nabakrushna Panda, Principal, Government Autonomous College, Bhawanipatna, S P Nanda, Principal, Government, Women’s College, Bhawanipatna, Sudershan Rath, Principal, Bisamcuttack College and Bharat Rath, Principal Rayagada Government College also graced the conference.

The objective of the conference was to make the people conscious about the value of science education at degree level as well as to discuss about the proposed Vedanta Science College at Lanjigarh. 

Dr. Kumar, President and COO, VAL, said, “Vedanta Science College was a long pending demand of the people of Western Ordisha. 

He said that Vedanta is committed to create a state of art Science College that will promote quality science education in Western Odisha. 

Quality Science education can help in developing technical manpower for industrialization in the state, he added. 

The proposed Vedanta Science College will start its academic session from 2011. 

The institution will provide education in subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Mathematics, Zoology, and Environmental Science.

It should be noted that there are very few (could be zero) fully private (i.e., without depending on state grants) science colleges in Odisha. Even the government ones and private ones that depend on state grants do not have good infrastructure and do not have adequate quality faculty. The more well known private higher education institutions of the state focus on trade oriented disciplines like engineering, management, medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology etc. so that they can charge adequate amount of student tuition. This includes deemed universities like KIIT and SOA and the private state university Centurion. None have science programs at the Bachelors level.

So if the Vedanta Science college in Lanjigarh becomes a good quality science college, then it would be a big boon to Kalahandi and Rayagada districts and hopefully it will also encourage other private groups to establish similar colleges.

January 31st, 2011

12th plan spending on education to go up to $100 Billion from the 11th plan estimaite of $70 Billion

Following is an excerpt from a report in Economic Times.

"We will be spending close to $100 billion on education in the 12th plan period. This will be in addition to around $20 billion investment on IT," Pitroda said at the ninth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here.

He said the government was taking measures to open up the education sector for more private and overseas investments.

"We have to liberalise the education system. What we did to the economy in 1991 needs to be done to the education now," said Pitorda, who is also the head of National Innovation Council .

He said the government had shown commitment to revolutionise the education system but the pace of development was not satisfactory.

"We have made recommendations. Minister has to act. So far, they have not acted to my satisfaction," Pitroda said, referring to the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission .

January 9th, 2011

After successfully persuading MCL and NTPC, Odisha now aims to push SAIL and NALCO for medical colleges in Odisha

Following is an excerpt from a report in Telegraph.

The Orissa government has urged the central public sector undertakings (PSUs) operating in the state to help it set up medical colleges in the state.

Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik today reviewed the progress of various proposed medical colleges in the state.

At present, the state has six medical colleges. The National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Mahanadi Coal Field Limited (MCL) have agreed to set up two medical colleges.

MCL has agreed to set up a medical college at Talcher. NTPC too has agreed in principle to the proposal. It is yet to decide the location of the new college.

The state government has also approached Nalco and SAIL to help develop the state in this regard.

Investment to the tune of Rs 150 crore is needed for a medical college with a capacity to enrol 100 students per annum.

Pursuing SAIL and NALCO for medical colleges is a good step.

January 8th, 2011

Push for 12th plan upgradations to central university has started

Now that the 12th plan discussions have started states have started pushing for various upgradations. Earlier we reported Karnataka’s efforts regarding upgrading UVC E to an IIT. Now there is report on West Bengal’s efforts to make Jadavpur University a central university. Following is from a report in Telegraph. It also mentions President Patil’s efforts to upgrade a university in her home area to a central university.

Union finance minister Pranab Mukherjee has thrown his weight behind an effort to convert Jadavpur University into a central university.

In a letter last month, Mukherjee requested human resource development minister Kapil Sibal to consider a proposal to turn JU into a central varsity by an act of Parliament.

“The letter is under the consideration of the ministry. The HRD ministry will seek the views of the finance ministry and the Planning Commission on the proposal for converting it into a central university,” a source told The Telegraph.

… JU has been identified by the University Grants Commission as one of the first five universities in the country with “potential for excellence”. It has also been accorded the highest grading of “five stars” by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).

“The HRD ministry will move forward on the basis of the feedback from the finance ministry and the Planning Commission on the letter from Mukherjee. The finance ministry and the Planning Commission had approved setting up 16 central universities under the 11th Plan. All these universities have already been set up. Now if they give the go-ahead, the process will be initiated for the conversion of Jadavpur University into a central university,” the source said.

A few months ago, President Pratibha Patil had written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for converting Sant Gadge Baba Amravati University in Maharashtra into a central university. A source said the conversion may be possible in the 12th Plan (2012-17).

Odisha needs to make similar efforts.

3 comments January 4th, 2011

Vice President Calls for More Funds for State Universities to Improve Higher Education: PIB

Following is from http://www.pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=68579.

The Vice President of India Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that higher education cannot improve in India unless State Universities, which are the backbone and represent the bulk of enrollment, are able to obtain greater funds, create new infrastructure and enrich their existing academic programmes. Delivering foundation day lecture at University of Calcutta today Shri Ansari said, anecdotal evidence suggests that the budget of one Central University is almost the same or more than the budget of all State Universities in some States. Just like the Central Government has assumed the responsibility for elementary education through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, it should also vastly enhance its support to State Universities as a shared national enterprise, the Vice President observed.

Shri Ansari said, “Our Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education is half of the world’s average, two-third’s that of developing countries and around a fifth that of developed countries. Even though we have been able to achieve an economic growth rate of 9 per cent of GDP despite low enrollment in higher education, it would not be possible for us to sustain such economic growth, maintain our competitiveness and enhance our productivity without at least doubling our higher education enrollment. Unless we can increase access and educational outcomes at secondary and tertiary levels, our demographic dividend might turn into a demographic liability.”

Following is the full text of Vice President’s lecture delivered on the occasion:

“ This is a rare privilege. I do feel flattered to be invited to deliver the Foundation Day Lecture of a great and famous seat of learning, India’s oldest modern university, more so because of an ancient association of a few youthful years with this city. I also subscribe fully to what the Urdu poet Ghalib said about Kolkata which he visited around the year1830:

Kalkatte ka jo zikr kiya tu ne hum nasheen

Ek teer mere sine main maara ki hai hai

Ah me, my friend! The mention of Calcutta’s name

Has loosed off a shaft that pierces to my very soul

Voltaire was perhaps unduly cynical when he describes history as “nothing more than a tableau of crimes and misfortunes.” This is certainly not true of the history of this great city which is, in a sense, also the history of modern India.

Most of us associate the year 1857 with the First War of Independence, with the heroic deeds of many, as also with the eventual failure of the effort to overthrow the foreign yoke and seek freedom from bondage. Few today would associate 1857 with another event of seminal significance. It was on January 24, 1857 that the Calcutta University Act was enacted. It was the culmination of a process initiated by Lord William Bentinck and energised by his successor Lord Auckland. The conceptual input and framework had come earlier from Sir Charles Wood. Its purpose, and ambit, was unambiguously linked to a colonial purpose, namely “to confine higher education to persons possessing leisure and natural influence” over the minds of their countrymen and who, by attaining a higher standard of modern education “would eventually produce a much greater and more beneficial change in the ideas and feelings of the community.”

The expectations from this endeavour were anticipated to be modest. The first Vice Chancellor, Sir James William Colvile, was candid about results. “We must recollect,” he said in the first Convocation Address, “that we are not merely planting an exotic (tree), we are planting a tree of slow growth.” His successor went against the tide of opinion in the British Indian establishment in the aftermath of 1857 and said three years later: “Educate your people from Cape Camorin to the Himalayas and a second mutiny of 1857 will be impossible.”

These worthy gentlemen evidently could not discern the thirst for new knowledge among segments of the public, nor could they anticipate the use that would eventually be made of it. The alumnae of this institution played a great role in the freedom struggle as also in the furtherance of knowledge in all fields. The record does speak for itself.

The proclaimed and principal purpose of the university was, and is, ‘Advancement of Learning’. There was an element of idealism about it. In a celebrated work published in November 1858, Cardinal John Henry Newman spelt out the idea of a university in terms worthy of reiteration:



“ A university is a place of concourse, wither students come from every quarter for every kind of knowledge…It is a place where inquiry is pushed forward, and discoveries verified and perfected, and rashness rendered innocuous, and error exposed, by the collusion of mind with mind, and knowledge with knowledge…It is a place which wins the admiration of the young by its celebrity, kindles the affections of the middle-aged by its beauty, and rivets the fidelity of the old by its associations. It is a seat of wisdom, a light of the world, a minister of the faith, an Alma Mater of the rising generation.”

Over the past century and a half, the ideal has retained its relevance. What has changed in response to the evolving external environment is the content, some of the methodology, and some of the end product. These were propelled by the enormity of change – political, economic, technological and cultural. A historian of our times noted at the turn of the century that “we are entering a fearful time, a time that will call on all our resources, moral as well as intellectual and material.” In this endeavour, the intellectual inputs from seats of learning and research would impact decisively on the moral and material resources needed to respond to the emerging challenges.

The need to revisit the framework for higher education in the country has been felt in recent years. This was summed up in the 2008 Report of the National Knowledge Commission:

“The emerging knowledge society and associated opportunities present a set of new imperatives and new challenges for our economy, polity and society. If we fail to capitalize on the opportunities now, our demographic dividend could well become a liability. The widening disparities in our country will translate into social unrest, if urgent steps are not taken to build an inclusive society. And our growth rate, which is faltering now, will stagnate soon, if a sustainable development paradigm is not created. “

A look at the ground reality is relevant to this discourse. Today we have 504 Universities, with varying statutory bases and mandates. Of these, 40 are Central Universities, 243 are State Universities, 130 are Deemed Universities, five institutions established under State legislation, 53 are State private Universities, and 33 are Institutions of National Importance established by Central legislation. We have a total teaching faculty of around 6 lakhs in higher education.

The structure and quality of these institutions, and their output, was the subject of critical scrutiny in the Yashpal Committee Report of 2009, tasked to suggest measures for the renovation and rejuvenation of higher education. One of its observations is telling:

“Over the years we have followed policies of fragmenting our educational enterprises into cubicles. We have overlooked that new knowledge and new insights have often originated at the boundaries of disciplines. We have tended to imprison disciplinary studies in opaque walls. This has restricted flights of imagination and limited our creativity. This character of our education has restrained and restricted our young right from the school age and continues that way into college and university stages. Most instrumentalities of our education harm the potential of human mind for constructing and creating new knowledge. We have emphasized delivery of information and rewarded capability of storing information. This does not help in creating a knowledge society. This is particularly vile at the university level because one of the requirements of a good university should be to engage in knowledge creation – not just for the learner but also for society as a whole.”

The Report goes on to say that our universities remain one of the most under-managed and badly governed organisations in society, with constricted autonomy, internal subversion within academia and multiple and opaque regulatory systems. Furthermore, university education is no longer viewed as a good in itself but as the stepping stone to a higher economic and social orbit.

The Report dwells on the increasing demand for expansion of private college and university level institutions necessitating an understanding of its implications in terms of the system’s enrolment capacity, programme focus, regional balance, ownership pattern, modes of delivery, degree of regulation, quality and credibility as well as social concerns of inclusiveness. It points out that State universities and affiliated colleges represent the bulk of enrolment in higher education and remain the most neglected in terms of resources and governmental attention.

Targeted government interventions to enhance access to elementary education through the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan have been successful in quantitative terms, even though problems remain with regard to content, quality and outcomes. You are also aware that one of the focal themes of the Eleventh Five Year Plan is the expansion and enhancement of access to higher education.

Our Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education is half of the world’s average, two-third’s that of developing countries and around a fifth that of developed countries. Even though we have been able to achieve an economic growth rate of 9 per cent of GDP despite low enrolment in higher education, it would not be possible for us to sustain such economic growth, maintain our competitiveness and enhance our productivity without at least doubling our higher education enrolment. Unless we can increase access and educational outcomes at secondary and tertiary levels, our demographic dividend might turn into a demographic liability.

Contrary to conventional wisdom, gross enrolment in higher education is not directly linked to economic growth and prosperity or to elementary school enrolment. Thus, for example, some of the economically and educationally backward states with respect to literacy rate and school enrolment, such as Orissa, Assam, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh have higher enrolments in higher education as compared to relatively better off states such as Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It would seem that enrolment is a function of a variety of social, cultural, institutional and economic processes and is significantly affected by the availability of educational infrastructure and facilities.

In addition to expansion, the other two central themes of the Eleventh Plan are inclusion and excellence. This is recognition of the fact that expansion does not necessarily ensure automatic access to the marginalised sections of the society and that quantitative expansion without maintaining quality would defeat the basic objective.

There are five questions pertaining to higher education that need to be addressed urgently:

First, we must ponder whether the existing means of instituting new universities is desirable and sustainable. Currently, Universities can be established only through Central or State legislation or through recognition as Deemed Universities on a selective basis. Legislation has been accorded to many private Universities by some State Governments, and both Central and State governments have accorded statutory status to some institutions.

Second, higher education cannot improve in India unless state universities, which are the backbone and represent the bulk of enrolment, are able to obtain greater funds, create new infrastructure and enrich their existing academic programmes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the budget of one central university is almost the same or more than the budget of all state universities in some states. Just like the central government has assumed the responsibility for elementary education through Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, it should also vastly enhance its support to state universities as a shared national enterprise. The Midterm Appraisal of the Eleventh Five Year Plan takes note of this option and has observed:

“Many state universities including the old and reputed universities of Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune are starved of funds and this allocation could be used for improving the conditions of the existing State universities and colleges which faces severe paucity of resources to help them retain their excellence and competitive edge….. The Central funding of State institutions should be linked to the reforms and a MOU signed between MHRD, UGC, States, universities and institutions for implementation of time-bound reforms and outcomes.”

Third, a significant focus of reform should be the college system, numbering around 26000 colleges, where most of the enrolment in higher education occurs. Sadly, under graduate education does not get the attention it deserves in universities amidst paucity of funds for qualitative development and quantitative expansion of colleges. The government is planning to establish colleges in 374 educationally backward districts in the country, representing over 60 per cent of all districts, with shared funding between the state and central governments.

Fourth, we need to liberate education from the strict and fragmented disciplinary confines of our formal higher education structures. This has become a significant impediment in the creation of new knowledge, especially in view of our stated objective of creating a knowledge society. We need to remind ourselves that the Indian Nobel Prize winners in the early part of the last century were a part of our higher education set-up. We had then allowed free interplay between science and engineering, languages and the humanities, performing and fine arts. It was at the fringes of such inter-disciplinary interaction that new knowledge was produced and existing knowledge flourished. I am aware of academic administrators who bemoan that those pursuing Mathematics could not simultaneously study Sanskrit grammar in India despite sound academic and research logic of doing so, due to systemic rigidities of our university system.

Fifth, higher education in our country must be an arena of choice, not of elimination. Increasingly, one notices that entrance and admission criteria and procedures are designed to screen out and eliminate, due to the adverse ratio of demand and availability, especially in disciplines with job potential or where the college or university reputation is likely to be a determining factor in employment. We must create avenues for skills training and vocational education so that entering universities does not become a default choice for the sake of employment, particularly for those who might not have interest in the subject or desire for higher education.

Allow me to conclude, ladies and gentlemen, by pointing out that the entire gamut of issues dealing with the rejuvenation and restructuring of higher education in India is in the public domain for an open policy debate. In the near future, we would witness civil society, policy community, academia, the government and the legislatures debating issues ranging from regulatory and governance structures, academic and administrative reforms, capacity building and teacher training, and entry of individual and institutional foreign education providers. This is a positive development and must be pursued to its logical conclusion.

It is my hope that this distinguished audience, and students, would be part of the ongoing debates on higher education. Each of you is an important stakeholder in the process and must contribute to it, not only as members of the academic community, but more importantly as citizens of this Republic. It is only with active engagement that we can hope to mould higher education as an instrumentality to achieve the Constitutional vision propounded by our founding fathers.”


This is an important speech. It gives some hints regarding what may happen in the 12th plan. It looks like there may be a significant central funding component for state universities.

December 21st, 2010

Pushing for central institutions and universities for the Twelfth five year plan (work in progress)

Update: Odisha must push for a second campus of Indian School of Mines. See https://www.orissalinks.com/archives/6076 for the reasoning that can be used for this.


The twelfth five year plan starts from 2012. It is only two years away. The eleventh plan fetched us a NISER (Bhubaneswar), IIT (Bhubaneswar), Central University of Orissa (Koraput), and plans for an innovation university (Bhubaneswar) and a centrally funded IIIT (Berhampur). Since all of these are in their earlier stages and there were 5+1 IISER/NISERs, 8 new IITs, 16 new/upgraded central universities, plan for 14 innovation universities and plan for 20 IIITs across the country I do not think there will be new ones of them in the 12th plan.

However, there are other kinds of centrally funded institutes and universities that were not much covered in the 11th plan, but yet there were instances of them in some parts of the country. I think if we focus on them from now it is possible that we can influence the inclusion of their establishment across the country in the 12th plan with some locations in Odisha. It is important to push these ideas as pan-Indian ideas rather than Odisha specific. Within Odisha by focusing on "backward districts" we can achieve a good distribution.

Following are some pan-Indian ideas that come to mind.

  1. Several Central Agricultural Universities in backward areas of the country, including one in Kalahandi: Currently there is a Central Agricultural University HQed in Imphal. (http://www.cau.org.in/). I came across the news item in http://bundelkhand.in/portal/NEWS/Centre-clears-an-AIIMS-like-institute-for-Jhansi-Bundelkhand that says "the Union agriculture ministry had given the go-ahead to develop a central agriculture university in Jhansi". I think a good case can be made that instead of just Jhansi (in the backward Bundelkhand district) such universities should be made in several backward district clusters in India. In Odisha at one time Kalahandi was known as the Rice Bowl of Odisha. Also, with the central government’s role in harming the industrialization of Kalahandi they may be sympathetic to establish a CAU there.
     
  2. Several Central Institutions of Technology in backward areas of the country, including one in Balangir: Currently, a Central Institute of Technology exist in Kokrajhar, Assam. Similar ones exist in Longowal Punjab (SLIET),  and one being made in Malda (GKCIET). These are all centrally funded institutions, have rural focus and are aimed at 3-tiers: workers, technicians and engineers. See https://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/3911 for some more details on these colleges. I think a good case can be made that such institutions be made across India in the various backward district clusters. In Odisha, Balangir may be suggested as the location as the third district cluster of the famed backward KBK region. With CUO in Koraput and and a CAU in Kalahandi, Balangir is the right place for a CIT.
     
  3. Upgradation of several engineering colleges to IIESTs, including the upgradation of VSSUT, Burla: Now that go ahead has been given to upgrade BESU (Bengal Engineering and Science University) to an IIEST (Indian Institute of Engineering, Science and Technology), this idea should be expanded to another dozen or so colleges across India. In Odisha, VSSUT is the one most suitable for this upgrade. In this regard one may note that as per the evaluation in http://www.npiu.nic.in/PDF/Govt-25-1.1.zip and http://www.npiu.nic.in/PDF/Govt-58-1.1.zip only two government colleges (one in Pondicherry (75) and one in Hubli (77)) in India have a higher score than VSSUT’s  score of 73. Even among the colleges listed in http://www.npiu.nic.in/PDF/Govt-71-1.2.zip only BITS-Mesra (76), Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering, Mysore (82), Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai (80) and NIT Surathkal (77) have a higher score than VSSUT’s 73. [I am not sure if the colleges in the last list were scored on the same parameters as VSSUT.]
  4.  

  5. Several National Sports Institutions/Universities, including one HQed in Rourkela: Currently there are two such institutes: Lakshmibai National University of Physical Education (LNUPE), Gwalior and Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala. Recently, a proposal was received by GOI from the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports to convert Rajiv Gandhi National Institute for Youth Development, an institution deemed to be university, at Sriperumbudur into Rajiv Gandhi Central University/National Institute of Youth and Sports. I think a good case can be made that such institutions be made across India in districts and locations that are catchment areas for various sports. In Odisha Rourkela would be the right choice with a possible branch campus around Kendrapada (women’s soccer) and Jagatpur (Rowing).
  6.  

  7. Additional branches of IGNTU (Indira Gandhi National Tribal University) including one in Kandhamala: Indira Gandhi National Tribal University is HQed in Amarkantak, MP. Its act mentions that the university will have branch campuses in various locations across India. The government of Odisha has proposed Kandhamala as the location of one such branch campus. This should be pushed and perhaps another campus may be proposed for the tribal areas cluster of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj.

In addition we need to continue to push for a medical college and an engineering college as part of the Central University of Orissa, Koraput. The state government and the CUO Koraput authorities are already doing it.

2 comments December 15th, 2010

Principal position advertised for Vedanta sponsored Lanjigarh Science College in Kalahandi: From Dharitri

Although this may not become part of Vedanta University, such feeder and/or associated colleges in Vedanta Company’s operational areas will hopefully bring more goodwill to Vedanta University. This is a good start. More is needed though. Colleges that can take in mostly local students and produce graduates that can find jobs, such as Nursing and B.Ed Colleges in Kalahandi and Jharsuguda, would be appreciated.

2 comments December 4th, 2010

Update on Reliance Foundation’s planned world class university

Following is an excerpt from a NDTV report.

The London School of Economics will collaborate with Reliance Foundation, run by the promoters of India’s largest corporate house, for setting up world-class universities in the South-Asian nation.

Reliance Foundation is the philanthropy arm of Indian billionaire industrialist Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries group, while the LSE is one of the world’s most reputed business schools.

The LSE would collaborate with the Reliance Foundation in setting up world class Universities in India, LSE’s Professor Lord Nicholas Stern said here last night.

December 3rd, 2010

Azim Premji transfers shares worth Rs 8846 Crores (about $2 Billion) to his foundation; the focus will be on education in disadvantaged areas of the country

The following is from http://www.azimpremjifoundation.org/pdf/announcement.pdf.


Azim Premji, Chairman of the Azim Premji Foundation, announced today that he will transfer 213 million equity shares (at current market price valued approximately at Rs 8846 crores/Rs 88.4 billion) of Wipro Ltd., held by certain entities controlled by him to an irrevocable trust. The transfer will be effected by 7 December 2010. This trust will utilize the endowment to fund, various social, not-for-profit initiatives, which are expected to scale significantly over the next few years.

Since its inception in 2001, Azim Premji Foundation, has worked largely in rural India, often in close partnership with various State Governments, to help contribute to the improvement of quality of education. Its programs have touched over 25,000 schools and over 2.5 million children over the years.

Commenting on this occasion, Azim Premji said, “We believe that good education is crucial to building a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society. We want to contribute significantly towards improvement of education in India, and through that towards building a better society.”

Adding further, he said, “All our efforts, including the University that we are setting up, are focused on the underprivileged and disadvantaged sections of our society. Our experience of the past 10 years has motivated us to significantly scale up our initiatives, across multiple relevant dimensions.”

He explained further that. “The Foundation’s significant increase in scale and its clear focus on social purposes will require a substantial long term financial commitment, which is the purpose this endowment will serve.”

The Karnataka Government has recently approved the formation of the Azim Premji University under a special legislative act. The University has three key objectives:

1. To create education and development professionals of high caliber, with a deep commitment to social causes and a desire to work in disadvantaged communities

2. To build capacity of existing functionaries in the education sector – both Government and private – through continuing education programs; and

3.    To create deep knowledge in education and development through high quality research that is relevant to India.

The following is from http://www.azimpremjifoundation.org/pdf/announcement.pdf

The University will be located in Bangalore and aims to be operational in 2011. The University will offer programs and conduct research in the field of Education and other closely related fields of Development. The University will be multidisciplinary in its approach, offering a range of programs e.g. in Education Policy, Teaching and Learning, Education Psychology, Educational Leadership & Management, Education Technology, Education Research and Development Studies.

The Foundation will also significantly increase the number of its field level programs, and for their implementation, establish a number of State & District Resource Centres. The intent is to progressively cover a large part of the country with these programs. The purpose of these programs will be to catalyze and support improvement in education in the field, especially in the disadvantaged areas of the country.

These State & District Resource Centers will have high Quality Education and Development professionals and other relevant resources to support schools, NGOs, District Institutes of Education & Training and other educational institutions in the district and at the State level. The centres will work with both Government & Private institutions.

The Foundation will continue to partner with various state governments (including continuing with its existing programs), institutions, NGOs and individuals in its work. The Foundation believes that real and sustainable social change can only be achieved by multiple constituents of the society working together.

The University and the State & District Resource Centers will work in a deeply integrated manner, and will also work seamlessly with the partner organizations.

To enable this integrated working and to drive the significant scale up envisioned across multiple dimensions, Azim Premji also recently announced the appointment of Dileep Ranjekar and Anurag Behar as Co-CEOs of the Foundation.

2 comments December 2nd, 2010

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