In a significant move aimed at strengthening Odisha’s technical education ecosystem, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has written to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, urging the state government to upgrade the prestigious Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT), Sarang, into a full-fledged Unitary University.
The proposal aligns with the state’s recent decisions to elevate Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, and Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar, into world-class institutions. Pradhan believes IGIT Sarang deserves similar recognition given its strong legacy and strategic location.
Established in 1982, IGIT Sarang boasts nearly 45 years of academic excellence. It currently enjoys autonomous status from the University Grants Commission (UGC), approval from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and accreditation from the National Board of Accreditation (NBA). The institute also receives support under the Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme (TEQIP). It offers a wide range of high-quality programs, including B.Tech, M.Tech, MCA, MSc, Bachelor of Architecture, Diploma, and PhD courses.“IGIT Sarang has a rich history of service and glory,” Pradhan noted in his letter. Its location in the heart of the Dhenkanal-Angul industrial belt gives it immense potential to drive industry-linked research, innovation, and skill development.
Experts believe granting unitary university status will bring greater academic autonomy, attract top faculty, encourage multidisciplinary education, and unlock additional funding and collaborations. The upgrade is expected to significantly boost research output and innovation, while strengthening ties with local industries.
The institute has already built strong partnerships, including a virtual lab collaboration with IIT Bombay and internship opportunities with the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Pradhan emphasised that elevating IGIT Sarang will not only fortify Odisha’s technical education landscape but also play a pivotal role in industrial growth, research, and innovation — key pillars of the state’s ambitious ‘Viksit Odisha 2036’ vision.
This development is being widely welcomed by students, alumni, and educationists, who see it as a transformative step toward positioning Odisha as a hub for quality technical education in eastern India.
The ball is now in the state government’s court. A positive decision could mark the beginning of a new era for IGIT Sarang and the region’s industrial-academic synergy.
