Bhubaneswar, March 19: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Skill Development Institute Bhubaneswar (SDIB) to foster collaboration in skill development, technical education, and industry-aligned training.

The MoU was exchanged between Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, and Ranjan Bhowmick, CEO,SDIB. From IIT Bhubaneswar, Prof. Dinakar Pasla, Dean (Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy); Prof. V. Pandu Ranga, Dean (Continuing Education), and from SDIB, Rajesh Tripathy, COO, and Nihar Ranjan Das, DGM (Training) were present on the occasion.

The partnership aims to leverage the academic expertise of IIT Bhubaneswar and the industry-oriented training ecosystem of SDIB to enhance employability and create a skilled workforce aligned with national priorities under the Skill India Mission.

Speaking on this occasion, Prof. Karmalkar said, “Under this MoU, IIT Bhubaneswar will extend academic and technical support to SDIB in multiple areas, including curriculum design, trainer development, knowledge sharing, and the establishment of state-of-the-art laboratories and training infrastructure. This collaboration is in line with the National Education Policy-2020 and will focus on promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and best practices in skill development.”

In his remark, Bhowmick stated, “A significant aspect of this partnership is its focus on empowering unemployed, under-employed, and underprivileged youth by equipping them with industry-relevant technical skills. SDIB, a mega multi-skill development institute promoted by leading oil PSUs under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, aims to train over 50,000 youth over the next decade through its advanced training facilities. This collaboration will be implemented through jointly agreed mechanisms and committees, ensuring effective knowledge exchange and capacity building between the two institutions.”

The MoU also provides opportunities for IIT Bhubaneswar students to undertake internships and engage in hands-on learning, including prototype development and practical exposure to industry-relevant challenges.