Petroleum Minister seeks 100 acre land for ICT Bhubaneswar Campus

Bhubaneswar: Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday requested the Odisha government to provide 100 acres of land for the establishment of ICT Bhubaneswar Campus.

“I request the Odisha Government to provide 100 acres of land for the establishment of ICT Bhubaneswar Campus. This institute will create history and this land of intellectuals will create an ecosystem for the bright future of our country,” said Pradhan.

The Minister inaugurated the academic session of the first batch of 5-year Integrated M.Tech course in Chemical Engineering at the ICT-IOC Bhubaneswar campus here on Friday.

The new campus is an extension of the reputed Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT), Mumbai, in partnership with Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOC).

Congratulating the first batch of M.Tech aspirants after formally launching the academic session, Pradhan urged the aspiring and energetic youngsters to focus more on entrepreneurship and become employers rather than employees to be able to play a greater role in nation-building.

He added that the Prime Minister’s vision for a New India is to increase the GDP through industrialisation, employment generation and raising the living standards of people in eastern India through the creation of a hub of industries based on local resources catering to all sections of society.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian Oil Chairman Sanjiv Singh said, “We in Indian Oil have implemented many projects worth crores of rupees, including our latest refinery at Paradip. But, it is a special feeling to be associated with this academic institution, which will mould thousands of youngsters who would lead the Petroleum and Chemicals sectors of tomorrow.”

Complimenting Indian Oil for partnering ICT-Mumbai in setting up its Bhubaneswar campus, Prof. GD Yadav, VC, ICT-Mumbai, said that this is the first time a corporate house is supporting the cause of education in such a big way after Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, by the Tata group.

He elaborated on his personal vision that “academicians must support India to go the next level by developing indigenous technology and talent.”

The objective of IOC-ICT partnership is to extend peer expertise of ICT, Mumbai, in the field of Chemical Science & Engineering and Technology by providing best-in-class academic and research facilities in Bhubaneswar.

This institute will ensure improved quality and industry relevance in curricula development in the field of Chemical Engineering, Petrochemicals, Textiles, Polymers, Foods, Pharmaceuticals, Energy etc.

The institute will offer 5-year Integrated M.Tech in Chemical Engineering, Executive M.Tech in Chemical Engineering for working professionals, besides offering PhD programmes.