SOA Partners With Odisha-Based Startup For Improving Air Quality

Bhubaneswar: Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University has joined hands with Odisha-based start-up Aurassure Pvt. Ltd for deployment of state-of-the-art sensor-based weather and air quality monitoring devices in its campus.

SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda and Aurassure’s Chief Operating Officer Satyanarayan Bishoyi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this connection on Tuesday.

Bishoyi said Aurassure has launched a programme called University Clean Air Network (UCAN), an initiative aimed at developing a network of universities dedicated to monitoring and improving air quality and weather across the state.

One device has been installed at Institute of Technical Education and Research (ITER), SOA’s faculty of engineering and technology, to provide real-time data on various air quality and weather parameters, including particulate matter, relative humidity and ambient temperature.

The sensor will measure weather conditions, offering comprehensive environmental insights which can help formulate effective policy and create community awareness, informed Bishoyi.

He said Aurassure’s UCAN initiative targets tie-up with around 25 universities in Odisha and instal the device in those campuses.

“SOA is the first university where we have installed the device and signed an MoU,” he added.

Sarat Chandra Sahu, Director of SOA’s Centre for Environment and Climate (CEC), said the institute was happy to be part of Aurassure’s UCAN initiative as it “aligns with our commitment to sustainability and empowers students and researchers with necessary tools to study and address environmental challenges.”