Bhubaneswar, 04 June (H.S.): In a significant move aimed at strengthening technical education and accelerating industrial development in Odisha, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi to upgrade the Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT), Sarang, into an independent unitary university.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Pradhan lauded the Odisha Government’s decision in the 2026–27 Budget to transform the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, and the Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar, into world-class technical universities. He suggested that IGIT Sarang should also be accorded similar status in view of its academic credentials, legacy, and contribution to technical education.

Established in 1982, IGIT Sarang has built a distinguished reputation over more than four decades of academic excellence. The institution enjoys autonomous status from the University Grants Commission (UGC), is approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and has received accreditation from the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). It has also benefited from the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), reflecting its strong academic standards and institutional capabilities.

The institute offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, and diploma programmes, including B.Tech, M.Tech, MCA, M.Sc., Ph.D., and Bachelor of Architecture courses. According to Pradhan, the institution possesses a strong academic foundation supported by qualified faculty members and robust educational infrastructure.

Highlighting its academic collaborations, the Union Minister noted that IGIT Sarang has partnered with IIT Bombay for its Virtual Labs initiative and with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide internship opportunities for students, enhancing practical learning and research exposure.

Pradhan emphasized that the strategic location of IGIT Sarang between the major industrial hubs of Dhenkanal and Angul provides a unique opportunity to foster industry-oriented research, innovation, and skill development. He said the institute has the potential to play a pivotal role in strengthening the regional industrial ecosystem through technology-driven solutions and academic-industry partnerships.

The Minister argued that granting unitary university status to IGIT would significantly enhance its academic autonomy, promote advanced research and innovation, and facilitate multidisciplinary education. Such a move would also help attract distinguished faculty members and researchers from across the country, while creating greater opportunities for funding, national and international collaborations, and institutional growth.

Pradhan stated that upgrading IGIT Sarang into a university would not only strengthen Odisha’s technical education landscape but also contribute substantially to the state’s industrial development, research ecosystem, and innovation capacity.

Expressing confidence in the institution’s future potential, he said that under the vision of “Viksit Odisha 2036,” IGIT Sarang can emerge as a leading centre of excellence in technical education with national and international recognition.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda