image credits: NIT Rourkela
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has been selected as the only hub institution from eastern India under the Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR) initiative, launched by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). As the sole National Institute of Technology among seven prestigious institutions chosen nationwide, NIT Rourkela stands alongside three Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and two central universities. This recognition, announced on April 17, 2025, shows NIT Rourkela’s commitment to research excellence. Out of 30 proposals evaluated, only seven were selected.
What is the PAIR Initiative Launched by ANRF?
The PAIR initiative, rooted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to transform India’s academic research ecosystem by collaborating between established and emerging institutions. Operating on a hub-and-spoke mentorship model, it bridges research gaps through a “pull-and-push” approach. The hub institution, NIT Rourkela in this case, consolidates the skills and potential of its spoke institution. Simultaneously, it pushes scientific excellence and innovation back to the spokes. Each PAIR network is eligible for up to Rs 100 crore in funding over five years, distributed in a 30:70 ratio between hub and spoke institutions, respectively. This financial support will empower NIT Rourkela to lead collaborative research in sustainable agriculture, health, energy, and environmental technologies.
NIT Rourkela as Part of the Multidisciplinary Collaboration
NIT Rourkela will spearhead a research consortium titled ‘Consortium of Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture, Health, Energy, and Environment.’ This initiative focuses on four thematic areas: energy technologies, environmental sustainability, health and medical technologies, and sustainable agriculture. The hub-and-spoke model promotes collaboration through shared research infrastructure, joint conferences, workshops, hands-on training, and faculty development programs. Faculty members across the consortium will engage in multidisciplinary research, problem-solving, and ideation. This approach is expected to generate additional research opportunities, attract funding from national and international agencies, and produce new technologies, scientific insights, journal publications, and intellectual properties.
Which are the Selected Spoke Institutions?
NIT Rourkela will mentor seven spoke institutions, including Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla; Sambalpur University; Odisha University of Technology and Research (OUTR), Bhubaneswar; Fakir Mohan University, Balasore; International Institute of Information Technology (IIIT), Bhubaneswar; Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar; and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana. By providing access to advanced laboratories, interdisciplinary research centres, and experienced faculty, NIT Rourkela will enhance the research capabilities of these institutions.
NIT Rourkela’s Promising Role in the PAIR Initiative
The PAIR initiative is designed to create a culture of scientific innovation by facilitating technology transfer and entrepreneurship. NIT Rourkela’s Foundation for Technology & Business Incubation (FTBI), established in 2016, already supports startups and innovation in fields like underwater robotics and Agri-tech. The NIT Rourkela’s selection as a PAIR aligns with institutes’ broader mission to produce quality engineers and scientists, as evidenced by its ranking of 19th in the NIRF 2024 Engineering category and its management of the Central Seat Allocation Board (CSAB-2025).
