BHUBANESWAR: A group of non-resident Oriyas here on Sunday proposed to set up a multi-disciplinary institute - Orissa Centre for Academic Excellence (OCAE) - near Jajpur and is expected to submit a detailed project plan to the State Government shortly.

Talent pool

If the project gets clearance, promoters of OCAE plan to tie up with 500 acclaimed academicians across the globe to associate them in the proposed state-of-the-art education programme.

"We have plans to build a working force of focused, talented and accomplished individuals with outstanding academic, research and professional achievements in the areas such as education, research, information technology, engineering, medical science," said vice-president of Orissa Society of Americas Dhirendra Kar.

Land sought

The group is seeking a maximum of 50 acres of land for the proposed centre and will launch the project with initial investment of Rs. 30 crores to Rs. 40 crores.

During the first three years, the promoters are targeting to open vocational training institute and masters programme in selective studies such as IT, business management and project management.

By the 10th year, there is plan to start graduate technical school and other masters and research programmes.

"We don't want sprawling campus. Skyscrapers could be erected for optimum use of natural resources.

]The centre will target students with talent and resolve to go forward in life," said Mr. Kar.

Stating that the promoters want to start the academic session by 2008, he said that the centre would tie up with financial institutes to facilitate bank guarantee to needy students.

"If the model were successful, the group will enter small towns with similar projects," Mr. Kar said while presenting the project at the third Prabasi Oriya Divas here.

`Investments galore'

Earlier, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the convention, which was attended by over 40 non-resident Oriyas.

Mr. Patnaik said Orissa was gaining strength with every passing day as big investments in mineral-based sectors had arrived in the State.

"The South Korean steel major POSCO had proposed the largest foreign direct investment in the State. The Mittals and Tatas have also chosen our place," he said.

Boom time

The Chief Minister said that IT and tourism sectors were also witnessing boom, with major players already giving their consent to come down to the State.

Finance Minister Prafulla Ghadei, Power and Information Technology Minister Surya Narayan Patra and Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy attended the convention.

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