By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has taken an important step for the development of the technical education sector in Odisha and the progress of industrial areas like Dhenkanal and Angul. He has written a letter to Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi requesting him to upgrade the prestigious educational institution ‘Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology’ (IGIT), Sarang in Dhenkanal district to a separate university.
Shri Pradhan mentioned in his letter that the decision taken by the Odisha Government in the budget 2026-27 to upgrade Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VISUT), Burla and Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar into world-class technical universities is commendable. He suggested that IGIT, Sarang should also be upgraded in this order.
Shri Pradhan mentioned in the letter that this institute, established in 1982, has a rich and glorious history of about 45 years. It is currently autonomously recognized by UGC, approved by AICTE and recognized by NBA. In addition, the institute is also supported by Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP), which shows its educational credibility and organizational efficiency. This prestigious institute has the facilities of various high-quality courses like Ph.D., M.Tech., MCA., B.Tech., Bachelor of Architecture, M.Sc. and Diploma. All these are run by qualified and experienced faculty and strong academic infrastructure. For the better future of the students, the institute has successfully partnered with IIT, Bombay for its ‘Virtual Lab’ program and with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) for internship opportunities.
IGIT Sarang, Dhenkanal and Angul being located in the heart of the major industrial hubs, has the potential to further enhance the local industrial ecosystem through industry-based knowledge, research and innovation. The establishment of this as a single university will enhance the academic autonomy of the institution, promote advanced research and innovation. It will also attract talented professors to come here, and the institution is likely to get more funding and partnerships. If IGIT Sarang is upgraded to a single university, it will not only strengthen the technical education landscape of Odisha, but will also make a significant contribution to the industrial growth, research and innovation of the state. As per the vision of ‘Developed Odisha 2036’, this institution can be established as a major centre for international technical education, Shri Pradhan mentioned in the letter.
