PM Modi Virtually Launches IISER’s Permanent Campus In Odisha’s Berhampur

Berhampur: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday dedicated the permanent campus of Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Berhampur, at Laudigaon in Odisha’s Ganjam district through video conferencing.

Union Minister of State for Tribal Affairs and Jal Shakti Bishweswar Tudu and Chandra Sekhar Sahu, MP Berhampur graced the ceremony as guest of honour on the permanent campus, while Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan was in attendance virtually.

According to official sources, the PM dedicated 15 of 29 buildings on the campus constructed cost of Rs 263.79 crore. “It’s a  joyous occasion for faculty members, staff and students. IISER Berhampur is making great strides in various branches, primarily in science and mathematics. In future, we also hope to open departments of computer science and humanities,” IISER Berhampur director Ashok Kumar Ganguli said.

The Ministry of Education had approved establishment of the institute in a transit/temporary campus on October 27, 2016. The institute was allotted 200.435 acre of land at Loudigam under Konisi tehsil by the state government on February 19, 2017.

On December 24, 2018, PM Modi announced the establishment of its permanent campus.

The Centre had sanctioned Rs 1,582.78 crore, including Rs 1,229.32 crore of capital cost, for construction of the permanent campus, which began on September 5, 2019. The detailed project report was approved for the construction of 29 buildings with a sanctioned cost of Rs 773.76 crore for a student strength up to 1,855 inside its new campus.

The members of Forum for Ganjam and its convenor Sudhir Rout, who had led the movement for establishment of IISER in Berhampur, also expressed happiness after PM dedicated the IISER Berhampur campus to the nation.

The forum began the movement after the NDA government announced to establish an Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Odisha in Union Budget 2014-15, on July 10, 2014.  It resorted to Berhampur bandh on November 15, 2014, and met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik twice on August 18 and September 19, 2014, demanding a national-level educational institute in Berhampur.

The forum insisted on setting up IISER at Berhampur after the proposed IIM was shifted to Sambalpur.

IISER Berhampur offers BS-MS dual degree, Integrated PhD and PhD as well as post-doctoral research training.