Sambalpur, Dec 15: The Odisha State Open University (OSOU) is paving its way towards a ‘Virtual Varsity’ equipping with 8-Quadrant AI Module, said Vice-Chancellor Prof. Shyam Sundar Pattnaik on Monday.
Gracing PRAYAS 2025, a 2-day National Conference on NEP 2020 at the auditorium on OSOU new campus, Prof. Pattnaik crafted out the futuristic roadmap of the coveted institution to switch over to a novative ‘Virtual University’ to spearhead competency development alongside academic excellence & technology.
Underlining the AI Empowered Office and the 8-Quadrant Module developed by the varsity that’s already functional on the campus, Prof. Pattnaik said, those days are near when the OSOU will be the first ‘Virtual University’ in its kind, to integrating learing knowledge, skill, competency and technology in realtime, smart and AI mode.
The all new Virtual University will leverage students with essential wit, competency, functional excellence and offer exponential job opportunities, Prof. Pattnaik added.
Lauding the Prayas 2025 session, OSOU VC Prof. Pattnaik said the Odisha State Open University, will at best articulate the vision of PRAYAS as a transformational academic initiative, underscoring its relevance to institutional reform, academic leadership, inclusive growth, and societal transformation in higher education.
The 2-day National Conference PRAYAS 2025, a significant academic confluence, began on Sunday bringing together eminent academicians, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the country to deliberate on transformative initiatives in higher education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The inaugural ceremony of PRAYAS was graced by several renowned national luminaries including Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe, Chairman, NETF and NAAC; Uday A. Kaole, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited; Praveen Kumar, CEO, TPWODL; Prof. Uma Kanjilal, Vice-Chancellor, IGNOU, New Delhi; Madhu Ranjan Kumar, former Jt. Secretary, MoE, Govt. of India; and Prof. Aditya Prasad Padhi, Chairman, Sambalpur Public Library.
The inaugural session was followed by a Plenary Session, chaired by Prof. Anil D. Sahasrabudhe. The panel included eminent academic leaders viz Prof. Uma Kanjilal, VC, IGNOU; Prof. BidhuBhusan Mishra, VC, Sambalpur University, Prof. Dipak Kumar Sahoo, VC, VSSUT; Prof. Siby John, Director, GKCIET (MoE, Government of India), Malda, West Bengal; and Prof. Susanta Kumar Das, VC, GM University, Sambalpur.
The conference was preceded by a Pre-Conference Workshop held on December 13, focusing on three crucial and contemporary themes: Strategies for NAAC and NIRF, Setting up University-Based Section 8 Companies, and Reflective Academic Practice. The workshop was conducted by distinguished resource persons, including Prof. Sarat Kumar Swain, Director, IQAC, VSSUT, Sambalpur; Prof. J. S. Saini, NITTTR, Chandigarh; and Prof. Krishnasamy T. Selvan, SSN College of Engineering, Tamil Nadu.
Their sessions offered valuable insights into quality assurance, institutional innovation, and reflective pedagogy in higher education.
Over the two days, the conference featured seven scholarly presentations across six thematic tracks, reflecting diverse perspectives and innovative practices in higher education. PRAYAS 2025 stands out as a distinctive academic platform fostering dialogue, collaboration, and policy-oriented discourse aligned with the vision of NEP 2020.
During the Wrap-up ceremony held today, Dr. Jitendra, Prof. English Department & Prof. Radhakant Suna, Odia Department presented the reports on the session. While Varsity Secretary Chittaranjan Sahu introduced the dignitaries, RSS Western Odisha Pranta Pracharak Shankar Panda underscored the essence of the NEP conference.
Among others, Director, IIM Sambalpur Prof. Mahadev Jaiswal graced the occasion as chief guest and Vice-Chancellor, BPUT Amiya Ranjan joined as guest of honour. While, Abhinandan Tripathy proposed the vote of thanks, panel of educationists scored their opinion on their experience they gained here from the lively breakthrough.
