Lok Sabha MP Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to establish a regional centre of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C‑DAC) at Gangadhar Meher University (GMU) in Sambalpur and expand the existing Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) facility in the city.
In his letter, Pradhan said a C‑DAC centre at GMU would strengthen research and development in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure, while providing students and researchers greater opportunities for innovation.
He also sought expansion of the STPI centre with a focus on semiconductor design, AI, and IT, which could create a stronger ecosystem for startups, skill development, and entrepreneurship in western Odisha.
Pradhan emphasised that such initiatives would generate high‑quality employment opportunities, attract technology‑driven investments, and contribute to India’s ambition of becoming a global technology hub.
