"I feel myself proud to be a product of DD University. Whatever I am today, it is because of this institution and room no-  45 of Gopabandhu hostel,  the then small Geology Department and its faculty members and students will be always in my heart," said Chief Secretary Pradeep Kumar Jena who was the chief guest on the occassion of 1st foundation day celebration of DD University held on Monday.

Jena also became emotional after he was awarded 'Distinguished Alumni Award ' by the university on the occassion and told that the award bears something great for him as if a mother recognizing her own child.

Jena who was an alumnus of DD University (then Keonjhar College) had passed BSc ( Geology ) in 1983. In 2004, it  became Dharanidhar Autonomous College and last year on February11, it was upgraded to a university after CM Naveen Patnaik declared it in a meeting held at Keonjhar.

In his advice to the students, Jena told that in the digital world, future is very challenging and they have to be innovative and creative in their approach to tackle the situation and do something different from the traditional way.

Similarly, Prof Ashok Das, Vice- Chairman, Odisha State Higher Education Council, who was the guest of honour, said that DD University is just in its infancy stage and everything should be done keeping in mind the next 25 years when both India and Odisha are going to be super powers.

Prof Pratap Kumar Mohanty OSD, DD University presided over the meeting. Prof SB Mishra, Chairman, PG Council, gave the welcome address and introduced the guest. Prof NK Sahoo, Registrar, delivered the votes of thanks. Besides, felicitating Niladri Mishra with Keonjhar Sanskruti Award, a few students were also awarded prizes in different competitions including the Chancellor Award.