Rourkela: The National Institute of Technology here (NIT Rourkela) has been selected as one of the Hub institutions under the prestigious Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) Programme, launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF).
It is the only NIT across India and the only hub institute from eastern India to be selected under the programme.
The PAIR initiative, envisaged under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, is a transformative step towards fostering a collaborative, inclusive and high-impact research ecosystem across Indian higher education institutions.
The programme is designed to enhance research capabilities of institutions where research is currently at a nascent stage but holds significant potential.
Of the 30 nationally-evaluated proposals, seven were selected for funding in the first phase — three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), one National Institute of Technology (NIT), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and two central universities.
NIT Rourkela came through a rigorous review process and a final presentation before the Apex Review Committee in Bengaluru. The presentation was led by NIT Rourkela Director Prof. K Umamaheshwar Rao, along with senior faculty members Prof. S K Pratihar, Prof. H B Sahu, Prof. S K Behera and others.
“This recognition is a testament to the collective dedication, research excellence, and collaborative ethos that define NIT Rourkela. The PAIR grant will play a transformative role in expanding our research network and strengthening our capacity to mentor emerging institutions. Through this initiative, we aim to uplift and empower our partner (spoke) institutions and contribute meaningfully to India’s vision of a robust, inclusive, and innovation-driven research ecosystem. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the project team for their outstanding efforts in crafting a compelling proposal that aligns with the strategic goals of national research development. I also sincerely thank the ANRF and the Apex Review Committee for recognising the potential impact of our initiative,” said Rao.
The PAIR Programme focuses on institutions with demonstrable or promising research potential, while also ensuring regional diversity, in the first phase.
Each PAIR comprises one Hub and a network of seven Spoke institutions, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration on nationally relevant research themes that aim to deliver tangible and measurable outcomes.
As a Hub institution, NIT Rourkela will mentor seven Spoke institutions:
* Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla
* Sambalpur University, Burla
* Odisha University of Technology & Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar
* Fakir Mohan University, Balasore
* International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar
* Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar
* Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana.
NIT Rourkela will lead a collaborative research initiative titled ‘Consortium of Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Environment.’
The project will focus on following thematic areas:
* Energy Technologies
* Environmental Sustainability
* Health & Medical Technologies
* Sustainable Agriculture.
Key features of PAIR Initiative at NIT Rourkela:
* Cultivation of research excellence in Spoke universities/institutions by fostering collaborations with top-tier institutions.
* Hands-on exposure to advanced research methodologies, cutting-edge laboratory techniques, and the latest technological tools, ensuring that faculty and researchers at Spoke institutions gain practical experience and stay updated with emerging trends in agriculture, health, energy, and environmental sciences.
* Creation of Human Resources with skill and knowledge in the important areas of Sustainable Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Environment.
* Faculty members across the consortium will engage with each other fostering multidisciplinary research.
* The consortium will foster problem-solving, ideation, and collaborative research, which can transcend to additional research problems, collaboration, and funding from national and international agencies.
* Creation of new technologies, scientific insights, journal publications, and intellectual properties.
* Transfer of technologies and entrepreneurship, leading to a culture of scientific innovation.
