The 1965 batch of the University College of Engineering, Burla, which was later converted as the Veer Surensra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), celebrated its golden jubilee with much fervour here on Sunday. Retired Judge of the Supreme Court Justice Arjit Passayat attended the event as chief guest and Institution of Engineers (India) former President Ashok Kumar Basa and VSSUT Vice-Chancellor Dr Saibaba Reddy as guests of honour.
The batch having 180 students had passed out in February instead of May in 1965 to fill up the urgent need for engineers as desired by the then Chief Minister Biju Patnaik. Just after their pass out, the entire batch got appointments in various posts while some of them became Works Secretary, Additional Director General of the Military Engineer Service, Engineer-in-Chief. Notably, the engineering college under the Utkal University came into existence in 1956 and the first batch passed out in 1960. It was the only engineering college in the state at that time.