Odisha Govt Announces Special Grants to Colleges & Universities Under Student Engagement Scheme

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a unique initiative to promote student participation in sports, culture, and social work across colleges and universities. This initiative falls under the Integrated Youth Development Programme (IYDP), wherein the Higher Education department will allocate grants based on the student strength of each institution.

Government colleges, government-aided colleges, and universities with over 2,000 students will receive a grant of Rs 9 lakh to promote these activities. Institutions with 1,000 to 2,000 students qualify for Rs 6 lakh, while those with 50-1,000 students will be granted Rs 4 lakh. Colleges and universities with 200-500 students will receive Rs 3 lakh, and those with 100-150 students will be sanctioned Rs 1.5 lakh.

Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, the Minister of Higher Education, revealed that 687 higher education institutions across the state will benefit from this scheme. The initiative involves organizing student competitions in sports, culture, and social work activities from November 15 to December 31. Subsequently, youth festivals will be conducted at district and state levels. This strategic move aims to encourage holistic development and active participation among students in Odisha.