State to launch innovation mission to promote skills, biz

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha State Innovation Mission will be launched soon to build a robust ecosystem that nurtures critical and design thinking skills and entrepreneurship. The state budget has also cleared the establishment of an Odisha Biotechnology Research Centre to drive high-end biotech research, patents, technology transfer and industry growth.CM Mohan Charan Majhi said the mission will strengthen Odisha’s presence and improve its ranking in the Global Innovation Index. Innovation will be treated as a key driver of exponential growth and job creation, he added.An official from the science and technology department said many students and researchers have innovative ideas but lack a platform to convert those into products or solutions. “From ideation to creation, we need to create a system with laboratories, incubation centres and a production process,” the official said.The govt has proposed setting up the Odisha Biotechnology Research Centre to promote advanced research and industrial growth in frontier biotechnology, with a focus on patent generation, technology transfer and commercialisation. Official sources said the centre will boost the state’s knowledge-driven bio-economy and reinforce Odisha’s emergence as a competitive biotechnology destination.Another Science and Technology Department official said the centre will house high-end research facilities aimed at delivering societal impact and solving real-world problems.

“At present, the government conducts research through higher educational institutions. After this centre comes up, research will be carried out at the centre along with educational institutions,” the official said.The budget also proposes a dedicated Odisha Pharma and Biotech Research and Innovation Centre to support oncology research, biologics development, herbal drug standardisation, advanced therapy products, medical device innovation and industry-academia collaboration.

Official sources said the centre will promote advanced research and industrial growth.An Iconic Science City will be developed over 77 acres in Khurda district as a centre for science, technology and translational innovation of global standards. Designed for immersive experiential learning for all ages, it will include sections for on-site innovation labs. “We will invest about Rs 300 crore for the proposed Science City in the next five years and I propose an amount of Rs 12 crore for the purpose in 2026-27,” Majhi said in his budget speech.