Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Dr Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday underscored the need for greater collaboration between the Army Air Defence College (AADC) at Gopalpur and educational institutions across Odisha to promote defence research, innovation and skill development in the state.
Chairing a high-level review meeting at the New Abhishek Hall of Lok Bhawan, the Governor reviewed a series of proposals submitted by the Army Air Defence College and stressed the importance of strengthening ties between the armed forces and academic institutions.
He suggested facilitating visits by engineering students from colleges across Odisha to the state-of-the-art laboratories of the Army Air Defence College. Such exposure, he said, would enable students to gain practical knowledge of advanced defence technologies, ongoing research and innovations, while encouraging greater interest in the defence sector.
Describing the Army Air Defence College as the country’s premier defence training institution, Dr Kambhampati said the institute has been making significant contributions to defence research and innovation. He added that extending institutional support to such initiatives would further strengthen India’s defence preparedness.
The meeting also discussed measures to build long-term partnerships between the Army Air Defence College and educational institutions in Odisha. Proposals relating to the development of green campuses, introduction of electric buses within military stations and deployment of light electric ambulances for patient transportation were also reviewed.
The Governor emphasised the need to further strengthen civil-military cooperation through better coordination among the Army Air Defence College, the district administration and the State Government for the effective implementation of development initiatives.
Among other issues discussed were the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Brahmapur, to provide priority healthcare services to armed forces personnel; payment of land compensation to the families of martyrs; participation of Army equipment contingents in the Independence Day and Republic Day parades in Bhubaneswar; education and rehabilitation of children with special needs in Ganjam district; and measures to address the problem of waterlogging in villages adjoining the Gopalpur Military Station.
Senior officers of the Army Air Defence College presented detailed proposals before the Governor. The meeting was attended by Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh; Additional Chief Secretaries Hemant Sharma and Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee; senior officials of various departments; the Revenue Divisional Commissioner (South); the Ganjam District Collector; representatives of the State Government and private sector enterprises; and other senior officers.
