Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister, recently announced intentions to construct an incubation hub at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Sambalpur.

The statement was made at the institute's plantation drive and campus tour, where Pradhan was the Chief Guest.

Pradhan emphasised Sambalpur's significance as Odisha's cultural hub and envisioned IIM Sambalpur's critical role in converting the region into an intellectual hub.

He went on to say that the presence of famous establishments and institutions in the area, such as Hirakud Dam, Sambalpur University, VIMSAR Medical College, VSSUT Engineering University, and Gangadhar Meher University, would enrich the area's educational environment with the development of IIM Sambalpur.

Union Education Minister Pradhan proposed that IIM Sambalpur aggressively participate in the skill development of weavers and farmer capacity building in the rural-based economy.

He also emphasised the significance of strengthening Panchayat Raj institutions.

Pradhan and Professor Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director of IIM Sambalpur, conducted a plantation drive to start the day. Over 500 students from IIM Sambalpur and other schools took part in the programme.

Following the drive, Pradhan went on a campus tour, mingling with teachers and students and learning about the institute's cutting-edge infrastructure, academic facilities, and research centres.

Professor Jaiswal thanked the Union Education Minister for attending the ceremony and inspiring the students with his motivational words.

He mentioned that Pradhan appreciated the modern classrooms introduced by IIM Sambalpur, which offer real-time information on subjects to remotely located students while the professor is writing on the board.