The Odisha Research Centre (ORC), Bhubaneswar, and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the CSIR-IMMT Auditorium, Acharya Vihar, Bhubaneswar. The collaboration aims to strengthen academic research, knowledge exchange, and cultural studies with a focus on Odisha’s rich socio-cultural and educational landscape. The signing ceremony was graced by Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister for Education, as the Chief Guest, and Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon’ble Minister of State for Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services, Odia Language, Literature & Culture, Government of Odisha, as the Distinguished Guest of Honour.

The programme began with the welcome of guests and the lighting of the lamp, followed by the felicitation of dignitaries. Prof. Chandi Prasad Nanda, Director, ORC delivered the welcome address, setting the tone for the collaboration, while the Vice Chancellor of TISS, Mumbai, addressed the gathering and highlighted the importance of academic partnerships in shaping inclusive education and social research. A short film showcasing the vision and objectives of the MoU was screened, followed by the formal exchange of the agreement between ORC and TISS, which marked a milestone moment in the event. Addressing the gathering, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized the role of higher education and cultural studies in empowering Odisha’s youth and preserving its heritage. In his keynote address, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan appreciated the collaboration and stressed the importance of leveraging institutional partnerships to promote research, innovation, and knowledge-sharing that can contribute to nation-building.

The MoU is expected to facilitate joint research projects on Odisha’s socio-economic, cultural, and linguistic heritage, along with academic exchange programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and policy-oriented studies to strengthen higher education and youth development in Odisha. It will also enable collaborative publications, conferences, and workshops on social sciences and cultural studies. The event concluded with a vote of thanks, symbolizing the beginning of a strong and fruitful collaboration between Odisha and one of India’s premier social science institutions.