Prior to Independence, there was little importance of engineering / technical education in Odisha. Soon after Independence, the first engineering structure, the Hirakud Dam, was built in 1955. Next year, the first engineering college, the University College of Engineering (presently VSSUT), Burla, was established with very little intake in three different engineering fields, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering. In 1961, the Regional College of Engineering (presently NIT), Rourkela was established to cater to the need of technical manpower in the State giving importance to technical education in particular. The scenario continued till 1980. In 1981, the Government established the College of Engineering & Technology (presently OUTR), Bhubaneswar; and in 1982, the Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology (IGIT), Sarang, Talcher was set up.
Similarly prior to Independence, very few engineering schools / polytechnics and ITIs were established. Presently, Odisha has six Government Engineering Colleges, three Government Technical Universities, 34 Government polytechnics/ engineering schools and 58 Government ITIs. The engineering education started developing in a large scale from 1995. Presently, around 15,000 students study engineering in Government colleges and around 70,000 study in private institutions for degree programmes. Similarly, around 20,000 students study in Government ITIs/ diplomas and around 30,000 in private ITI/ engineering schools/ polytechnics.
Whether Government or private, all the ITIs/ engineering schools / polytechnic, engineering colleges and technical universities come under the SD&TE (Skill Development & Technical Education) Department, which was earlier ETET (Employment & Technical Education & Training) Department in 2012. The Government established a WSC (World Skill Centre) in 2021 in collaboration with the OSDA (Odisha Skill Development Authority).
The Chief Minister of Odisha is very much interested to develop technical institutions for the economic growth of the State. Meritorious students with low economic backgrounds get a chance to be engineers. It is all possible because of the broad vision of the Principal Secretary, SD&TE Department Hemant Sharma who is an Engineering Graduate from the University of Roorkee (presently IIT, Roorkee). His constant inspiration to and interactions with students, faculty members, staffs and stakeholders through online or offline mode is a boon to the State. As a noticeable remark, it is pertinent to inform that under his leadership student of engineering schools/ polytechnics/ ITIs have visited the countries like Singapore, Malaysia to be trained in technical trade. They are exposed to different laboratory equipment and working environment. As a result, they have been placed in various multinational companies with handsome salaries. Sharma has taken interest in quality technical education by improving the infrastructure facilities, modernising the laboratories and recruiting quality faculties and staffs. Similarly in degree engineering colleges and technical universities, he has taken steps to establish many Centres of Excellences (COEs). Modernising the laboratories, reforming the academic curricula in line with industry demand, digitised lecture notes, non-negotiable academic calendar with input to research and development, industry institute interactions, skill-based trainings, etc.
Obtaining projects from different agencies, establishing Startup and Innovation Centre, consultancy work and improving publications and patent filing are the major contributions during Sharma’s tenure. He has set a milestone in technical education. His constant monitoring and updating the existing system is a source of inspiration to others. His thought process in technical education and administration improves the quality of technical education and employability. As a result, Odisha is constantly being recognised by the Government of India in technical education. Engineering schools/ polytechnics/ ITIs/ technical universities/ colleges have been honoured to obtain different prizes at national and international levels for various pioneering technical activities. Odisha has become a technical hub under his able administration and the State admires his constant efforts in this field.