Principal Secretary to PM Dr PK Mishra addresses the 14th Foundation Day of Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology (SUIIT)
“PM has been articulating the vision to make Eastern India a powerful driver of the nation’s growth”
“Prioritize research and development, forge partnerships with industry leaders, and provide students with hands-on experience through internships and industry projects”
“Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) with a budget of Rs 50,000 crores will seed, grow and promote R&D, and foster a culture of research and innovation throughout India’s universities, colleges, research institutions”
“The Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme has been initiated with an objective of enhancing the number of PhDs”
“India ranks high in terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) skill penetration and AI talent concentration”
“We must strive to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, where students from all backgrounds feel empowered to pursue their dreams and aspirations”
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr P K Mishra participated and addressed the 14th Foundation Day celebrations of Sambalpur University Institute of Information Technology (SUIIT) today.
“The Prime Minister believes that technology in general, and cutting edge and emerging technologies in particular, will have to be harnessed to fuel the growth that we aspire to achieve” said Dr Mishra.
Highlighting Sambalpur University’s longstanding reputation as a beacon of knowledge and learning in the region, Dr P K Mishra lauded the establishment of SUIIT, further solidifying its position as a hub of academic excellence. By focusing on information technology, the institute not only equips the youth with essential digital-age skills but also lays the groundwork for a knowledge-based economy essential for national progress.
Furthermore, the Principal Secretary Bridging the gap between academia and industry, he stressed, ensures graduates are not only well-versed in theory but also possess the practical skills demanded by the market.
Acknowledging SUIIT’s existing collaborations with prestigious institutions and industries such as Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Indian Council of Medical Research, Tata Power, and HINDALCO, Shri P K Mishra commended the institute’s plans for future collaborations with IIM Sambalpur. He also expressed interest in the specialized courses the University plans to offer in Big Data Analysis, Internet of Things, Blockchain, among others.
Dr P K Mishra shared initiatives of the Government of India, including the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), urging SUIIT to explore collaboration possibilities. ANRF, with a budget of 50,000 crore and a focus on fostering research and innovation, presents an exciting avenue for collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.
Dr P K Mishra highlighted the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s support for R&D projects in infrastructure development and technology across academic institutions. He encouraged faculty and researchers at SUIIT to seek support for their R&D initiatives from the Ministry, aiming to broaden the scope of research beyond premier institutions like IITs and IISc.
Dr P K Mishra also mentioned the Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme, designed to enhance the number of PhDs in Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) and IT/IT Enabled Services, urging SUIIT to explore this opportunity. Furthermore, he suggested exploring a tie-up with the National Supercomputing Mission to access computational resources like PARAM Shakti and PARAM Kamrupa.
Dr Mishra highlighted the FutureSkills PRIME initiative, a collaborative effort between the Government and NASSCOM to provide digital skills training on emerging technologies. He encouraged students to take advantage of these industry-oriented courses, aligning with the State Government of Odisha’s collaboration with the initiative.
Dr P K Mishra proposed establishing IDEA labs in collaboration with AICTE to promote student innovation in applications, technologies, engineering, and mathematics. He also touched upon an upcoming MoU between Sambalpur University and IIT Madras to enhance IT-related course curricula.
Underlining the evolving landscape of higher education and research, Dr Mishra emphasized the growing demand for research-driven solutions, fuelled by increased funding, emerging technologies, and opportunities for startups. He stressed the importance of inclusivity and diversity in higher education, encouraging an environment where students from all backgrounds feel empowered to pursue their aspirations.
