Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Urban Academy (OUA) and Sri Sri University are set to collaborate on a comprehensive capacity-building initiative aimed at enhancing the professional effectiveness and overall well-being of personnel engaged in urban governance across the state.
The proposed partnership was discussed at a high-level review meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan here on Thursday under the chairmanship of Usha Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department. The meeting focused on finalising a strategic Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions.
Swami Satyachaitanya, Director of Operations, Sri Sri University, outlined the proposed scope, objectives and implementation framework of the initiative. Senior officials, including Arindam Dakua, Director, Municipal Administration, Suvendu Sahu, Director, Odisha Urban Academy, Debabrata Mohanty, Managing Director, WATCO, Mamatarani Naik, Joint Secretary, and other departmental officers attended the meeting.
The proposed collaboration seeks to move beyond conventional institution-centred training by focusing on the holistic development, mental well-being and professional capabilities of public functionaries involved in urban administration.
Under the partnership, the OUA and Sri Sri University will jointly develop and conduct specialised capacity-building programmes on stress management, meditation, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and related areas for government officers, municipal executives and personnel of Urban Local Bodies.
The initiative also envisages creating a cadre of professionally trained counsellors capable of providing psycho-social and legal support. Digital technology will be explored to extend such support and capacity-building interventions to underserved urban communities.
The collaboration is expected to promote a ‘Karmayogi’ work culture based on ethical leadership, emotional well-being, empathy, professionalism and citizen-centric governance. It is aligned with the broader vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047 and seeks to contribute to making Odisha’s cities more inclusive, resilient, efficient and globally liveable.
Chairing the meeting, Padhee stressed that strengthening urban administration requires not only professional competence but also adequate attention to the mental, emotional and psychological well-being of public servants. She emphasised the need for a work environment that enables public functionaries to perform their responsibilities with greater empathy, resilience and effectiveness.
Padhee directed the concerned officials to expedite the preparation of specific Terms of Reference and finalise the implementation framework so that the proposed training modules can be rolled out at the earliest.
