Bhubaneswar, Oct 18: In a landmark development for Odisha’s entrepreneurial landscape, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University has secured a prestigious Rs10 crore Grant-in-Aid from the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, Government of India, officials said on Saturday.

This funding will establish the Atal Incubation Centre – SOA Foundation (AIC-SOA Foundation), making SOA the proud host of Odisha’s third AIM-backed incubation centre.

The announcement was celebrated at a special gathering held in the AIC Board Room, where Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda recounted the university’s journey from grant application to sanction. He praised the unwavering dedication of faculty and leadership, and acknowledged the visionary role of SOA Founder President Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak in steering the university toward innovation-led education.

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Prof. Manas Kumar Mallick, Director of AIC-SOA Foundation, emphasized the centre’s mission to foster startups in HealthTech, AgriTech, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, CleanTech, and Social Innovation. The initiative aims to empower entrepreneurs across Odisha and eastern India, aligning with the national goal of building a self-reliant ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.

Rajeev Kumar, Deputy General Manager (Innovation & Entrepreneurship), outlined AIM’s broader vision and its synergy with India’s roadmap for an innovation-driven economy. Prof. Renu Sharma welcomed dignitaries and faculty, setting a celebratory tone for the event.

The foundation’s journey began in 2022, with key contributions from Prof. Goutam Rath, Dr. Manisha Acharya, Prof. Naresh Sahoo, Prof. Renu Sharma, and Mr. Ashok Nayak. Their collective efforts earned AIM’s trust, culminating in the sanction of the first tranche of funding.

With AIC-SOA Foundation now operational, SOA University stands poised to become a beacon of innovation, job creation, and entrepreneurial excellence — propelling Odisha toward the Vikshit Bharat 2047 vision.