MoU Signed for Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia studies at JNU

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government and the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, signed an MoU on Sunday to set up Biju Patnaik Special Centre for Odia studies at JNU. This centre will promote studies and research in the Odia language at the national level.

Commissioner-cum-secretary of the Higher Education Department Aravind Agrawal and Vice Chancellor of JNU Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit signed the MOU in the presence of Higher Education Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak at Lok Seva Bhawan.

This proposed academic centre will delve into the leadership, governance, and contributions of the Bhoomiputra of Indonesia and the former Chief Minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik.

The Centre will start a Master’s Programme covering various facets of Odia Studies.

The Centre will lay focus on international teaching and research in Odia language and literature, apart from exploring historical maritime linkages of the erstwhile Kalinga empire with Southeast Asia, Odia diaspora connections and promoting contemporary Odia culture through publications and collaborative research.