Argus News - NIT Rourkela, OMC Sign MoU To Strengthen Mining Technology And Skills

Rourkela, Feb15: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela and Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. (OMC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance technology adoption, skill development, and managerial capacity in the mining sector. The agreement marks a significant step towards structured collaboration in research, innovation, and professional training, officials said on Sunday .

The MoU was signed by Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao on behalf of NIT Rourkela and Alok Kumar Pal, Director (HR), representing OMC. Prof. Himanshu Bhushan Sahu, Dean (Alumni, Industry and International Relations), coordinated the partnership. The collaboration envisages joint initiatives in digitisation, mine automation, geostatistics, and artificial intelligence to optimise mining operations, alongside leadership and management development programmes.

Coinciding with the signing, a three‑day Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme on “Mineral Resource Management: Technical, Regulatory and Strategic Insights” commenced at NIT Rourkela. Organised by the Departments of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and Mining Engineering, the programme is designed to provide OMC professionals with intensive training that integrates technical, regulatory, and strategic dimensions of mineral resource management.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Rao highlighted Odisha’s vast mineral wealth, ranging from iron ore and bauxite to rare earths, and emphasised the need for sustainable utilisation to drive regional growth. Mr. Pal underscored OMC’s transition from traditional mining practices to mechanised, technology‑driven operations, noting that the partnership would help build a future‑ready workforce while contributing to Odisha’s industrial and economic development.

Prof. H. B. Sahu added that the collaboration would strengthen technical expertise and managerial skills, while promoting sustainable practices, environmental management, and regulatory compliance. The MoU also provides for certification courses, customised training modules, field‑based learning, and laboratory interactions, creating a continuous learning ecosystem for OMC professionals.

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The partnership between NIT Rourkela and OMC is expected to serve as a model for academia‑industry collaboration in the mining sector, aligning technological innovation with sustainable resource management.