Reported by Chinmaya Dehury

Bhubaneswar, Jan 15:

With an eye on the growing steel industries in the country, the Union Ministry of Steel has planned to develop Biju Patnaik National Steel Institute (BPNSI) located at Puri as a Centre of Excellence in steel education with the status of a Deemed University aiming to carter the needs of the steel sector.

“The steel institute set up by the Steel Ministry in 2002 will be a major human resource development project catering to the needs of the steel industry. The Ministry is planning to prepare a base document outlining the role of the institute as a Centre of Excellence with the status of Deemed University,” said a senior official of state Steel and Mines department.

The Ministry has sought the views of state government on the scope of such a centre and the vision of the state on what the university should be in future.

“We have already held a meeting to discuss the road map with several experts in the sector. We are preparing the component of DPR as sought by the Ministry. Besides, there was a discussion on the requirement of infrastructure, proposed financial outlays and funding patterns,” said the official adding that there is need for deliberation on whether any additional rules are required.

Sources said, the Steel and Mines department has sought the guidance of TISCO, IIT Khargapur and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) to prepare the components.

Presently, the institute runs with two courses on advanced certificate in iron and steel manufacturing and plant management. The course being offered is of three semester duration. While one year is dedicated for classes, the subsequent six months is for practical training in iron and steel plants.

The Institute has adopted a three pronged approach, namely Education & Training, Research & Development, and Consultancy to boost the steel sector.  The Institute creates trained man power with the requisite skill set and also re-skills and upgrades the skills of the existing manpower in the steel sector.