By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Nowadays, development of technology is impossible without innovation. With the help of Odisha Government, AI (Artificial Intelligence) and ML (Machine Learning) labs are being set up soon in Sambalpur University campus. This will not only be an infrastructure, but also a big milestone in the field of education and research in Odisha, said Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan.
Union Minister Shri Pradhan today inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth around Rs 175 crore at Sambalpur University and the Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology (SUIT) located on the university campus. He said that these projects, on the occasion of the 59th anniversary of the university, will contribute to the overall development of the educational institution.
Shri Pradhan said about the achievements of Sambalpur University that under the National Education Policy, a National Research Foundation (NRF) has been designed, in which the Government of India provides grants to various educational institutions for research on the basis of merit. Sambalpur University has affiliated with NIT Rourkela and received a research fund of Rs. 13 crore for the first time, which is a great achievement. In addition, it is a matter of pride that 14 new patents have also been started. New courses have been opened in this educational institution. Similarly, AI and quantum computing have become the basis of today’s modern knowledge. Whether a student of history or physics, AI is going to be an important subject for everyone. At such a time, AI and ML in the university will enhance the prestige of the university in the coming days.
Shri Pradhan said that Sambalpur has prestigious institutions like Gangadhar Meher University, Bhimsar, Visut, IIM, Odisha Open University along with Sambalpur University. With the coordination of all these institutions, Sambalpur should be transformed into a ‘knowledge-based economy’ center. Students should be encouraged to become ‘wealth creators’ or entrepreneurs themselves, instead of just chasing jobs. Shri Pradhan expressed hope that Sambalpur University will play an important role in this direction.
Recalling the cultural and spiritual heritage of Sambalpur, he said that as the university enters its 60th year, he suggested a commitment to build it as an innovative university by establishing a strong bond between the old students and the current generation.
Shri Pradhan dedicated and laid the foundation stone of the following projects to be constructed under PM-USHA Scheme and Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha. He dedicated two indoor badminton stadiums and laid the foundation stone of all other projects. These include a 400-bed hostel for suites and separate 500 and 300-bed student residences for the university. An indoor stadium, synthetic athletic stadium, football and cricket stadium, etc. will be constructed at a cost of more than Rs. 30 crores. Similarly, the foundation stone of electrical laboratory, new academic building, multipurpose learning center. Center of Excellence, Incubation Center and other works have been laid.
Odisha’s Minister for Higher Education, Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Suryavansi Suraj, was a prominent present at the event.
