Odisha Research Conclave 2025 highlights local identity-driven research, industry-academia collaboration, and AI-based innovation to build Viksit Odisha
OdishaPlus Bureau
Research must be rooted in local identity while advancing global relevance through a harmonious integration of “tradition and technology”. This was the key message emerging from the Vice-Chancellors’ Meet on Day 2 of the Odisha Research Conclave–2025 at Berhampur University.
Academic leaders, at the VC deliberation, stressed the need for inter-university collaboration within Odisha to promote localised research and avoid duplication of efforts. The session, chaired by Prof. Santosh Kumar Tripathy, VC of Fakir Mohan University, along with Prof. Nibedita Nath, VC of Maa Manikeswari University, Prof. Kamaljit Singh, VC of Madhusudan Law University, and other eminent academic heads. The speakers emphasised that research should be public-oriented and innovative, leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) skillsets to achieve groundbreaking outcomes with a societal impact.
In a parallel session focused on strengthening industry–academia partnerships, experts from leading institutions and industries called for joint initiatives to make research outcome-driven and industry-ready. They emphasised that a strong industry-academia linkage holds the key to the development of Viksit Odisha and contributes significantly to the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2027.
Among the panellists were Prof. Supriti Mishra from the International Management Institute, Bhubaneswar, Dr Archana Choudhury, Dean R&D, Birla Global University, Bhubaneswar, Debadatta Mishra, CSR Head, Gopalpur Port (Adani Foundation), and Harikrushna Panda, Regional Manager, SBI. The panellist stressed on the collaborative research between academia and industry.
A discussion on the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 was held under the chairmanship of Prof. Susmit Prasad Pani, Executive Member of the Odisha State Higher Education Council. The panel recommended revamping curricula to align with NEP goals on skill development and professional education, while also ensuring the holistic development of the mental and physical health of students.
Prof. Madhumita Das, Former Vice-Chancellor, Fakir Mohan University, Prof. Aparajita Choudhury, Former VC, Rama Devi Women’s University, along with Prof. Satrughna Panigrahi, VC, Odia University and Prof. Swarnamayee Tripathy, former Professor of Utkal University, took part in the session.
In the second half of the day, poster presentations covering diverse themes in Management and Social Sciences were showcased. The concluding day of the Odisha Research Conclave–2025 will feature an academic meeting of the Directors of premier technical and professional institutes.
