Odisha Govt Steps To Develop ITIs, Polytechnics To Centres Of Excellence

Bhubaneswar: The state government has initiated the process for developing technical institutions like ITI and polytechnic to Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in OMBADC area. This was discussed in a high level meeting chaired by chief secretary Asit Tripathy on digital mode here on Saturday.

Considering the need for CoEs, the chief secretary directed to develop such institutions in Odisha Mineral Bearing Areas Development Corporation (OMBADC) area for expanding avenues of employment. He told to start the new age trades in drone piloting, solar technology, smart agriculture, smart horticulture, robotic technology, mechactronics, additive manufacturing technology as per their demand in ITIs and polytechnics.

Tripathy Further advised to scale up internal resources generating activities with modern workshops and labs of these institutions so as to make the courses self-sustainable. It was decided to run the new skill classes in collaboration with industry partners as per their manpower requirement.

Presenting the need and feasibility of such institutions, secretary, Skill Development and Technical Education Sanjay Kumar Singh said, “There is 100 per cent campus placement of the pass-outs from Badbil and Jajpur polytechnics. Modernisation of the ITI Badbil, Mining Engineering Keonjhar, ITI Rorkela and UGIE Rourkela with furnishing of IT labs, life skill classes, workshops, modern class rooms, residential facilities etc have been completed.”

Stating that the Central government has recognised ITI Badbil as a model ITI in the country, he said the employability of students from other ITIs was also very high in last years.

“Presently, industry collaborative CoEs are being run in ITIs at Cuttack, Pattamundai and Balasore, The leading industrial houses like Maruti Suzuki, IPSC, HSIL and Schneider Electric are in collaborative partnership with these ITIs, he said.

The proposal for development of CoEs in automation technology at ITI Jajpur, CoE in advanced wielding at Polytechnic Jajpur, CoE in thermal cutting and wielding at PCITI, Baripada, CoE in thermal cutting and wielding and Mini Tool Room at ITI Takatpur received in principle approval at the meeting.

Similarly, the proposal for developing the ITIs at Karanja, Udala, Kaptipada,  Polytechnic Mayurbhnaj, Anandpur, Barbil, Jharsuguda, Barkot and Rourkela, OSME Keonjhar, Jharsuguda Engineering School, Polytechnic Deogarh and UGIE Rourkela to CoEs in different advanced cutting edge technology were also discussed and approved.

It was revealed at the meeting that 3 mini tool rooms have been commissioned at ITI Cuttack, Berhampur and Hirakud in collaboration with Central Tool & Training Center (CTTC), Bhubaneswar. The components for Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) are being manufactured at ITI Cuttack.

Director, Technical Education Reghu G; Chief Executive Officer, Odisha Skill Development Authority Rashmita Panda; additional secretary Sudarshan Panda and joint secretary Ajaya Nayak along with senior officers of the department participated in the deliberations.