Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to boost innovation and entrepreneurship in Odisha, the Central Government has sanctioned ₹130 crore for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Research and Entrepreneurship Park at IIT Bhubaneswar. Union Minister of State for Education, Sukanta Majumdar, announced this initiative during a Rajya Sabha session while responding to a query raised by BJD MP Debashish Samantaray regarding research and innovation funding in the state.
The Research and Entrepreneurship Park aims to foster advanced research, product development, and a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. It will provide world-class infrastructure, expert mentorship, funding opportunities, and facilitate collaborations between industry and academia. Shri Majumdar emphasized that the park aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and reflects the government’s focus on enhancing India’s research capabilities.
The minister also highlighted Odisha’s growing prominence in research and education. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allocated ₹96.38 crore for research activities in higher educational institutions in Odisha over the last five years. Additionally, 18 Research and Development (R&D) Cells have been established in the state as part of a nationwide effort that includes 1,689 such cells across the country.
Among Odisha’s notable achievements is the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Berhampur, which conducts pioneering research and offers quality science education. At the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), a project led by Dr. C.R. Satapathy has focused on empowering beekeepers through standardized comb honey production, supported by ₹40.62 lakh from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). Furthermore, the OUAT has implemented an institutional development initiative under the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP), receiving ₹24.97 crore from 2018 to 2024 to enhance faculty competence, forge partnerships, and modernize facilities.
The Department of Science and Technology is also bolstering research infrastructure through the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (FIST) programme and the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme. Meanwhile, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has supported 73 R&D projects in Odisha over the past five years.