Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patra, Director
Research and Development Cell
E-mail: pkpatra@utkaluniversity.ac.in
Profile:
utkaluniversity.ac.in/faculty/dr-prasanna-kumar-patra/
About Utkal University
Utkal University, established on 27th November 1943, is the oldest university of Odisha and the 17th oldest university in India. The University has for over eight decades been a beacon of higher education, research, and societal transformation in the eastern region. Accredited A+ by NAAC, Utkal University offers programmes across Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Commerce, and Business Administration, and has consistently featured among the Top 100 Universities in India under the NIRF Rankings. With a rich campus infrastructure, Utkal University provides an enabling environment for teaching, learning, and cutting-edge research.About the Research & Development (R&D) Cell
The Research and Development (R&D) Cell of Utkal University was established with the overarching vision to facilitate, promote, and contribute towards multi-disciplinary research, innovations, collaborations, and generation of scope for extra-mural fundings, quality publications in peer-reviewed journals, patents, and product development. As the nodal institutional body for all research-related activities, the R&D Cell serves as the primary interface between the University and its diverse ecosystem of funding agencies, research institutions, industries, and collaborative partners — both at national and international levels. The R&D Cell is headed by the Director, R&D, who is a senior Professor of the University appointed by the Vice Chancellor. The Cell operates with administrative support from an OSD (Research) and an Assistant Director, R&D, and coordinates closely with all 27 Post-Graduate Departments through their respective Departmental Research Committees (DRCs). The Cell also oversees the functioning of the Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC), the Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC), the IPR Cell, the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF), and the Centre for Innovation and Incubation (CII).Organogram
|
OSD Research
Strategic oversight
& admin coordination
|
Director, R&D Cell
Promote & supervise
research ecosystem
|
Asst. Coordinator
Research management
& support
|
|
IPR Cell
Patent filing & IP protection
53+ patents (2021–25)
|
Ethics Committees
IAEC (Animal) · IHEC
Human subjects review
|
|
CIF
Central
Instrumentation
Facility
3-storey campus
|
CII – UECH
Centre for
Innovation &
Incubation
24+ startups · RUSA 2.0
|
Centres of Excellence
11 CoEs
RUSA & WB-OHEPEE funded
|
P.G. Depts.
27 departments
74+ extramural projects
& publications
|
Tech. Translation &
Societal Eng.
Rural Tech Park
BARC outreach
|
Key Mandates of the R&D Cell
| Mandate | Description |
|---|---|
| Research Promotion | Facilitate, promote, and monitor all research activities across disciplines at the University. |
| Extramural Funding | Act as liaison between the University and external funding agencies (CSIR, UGC, DST, DBT, ICSSR, RUSA, OHEPEE and others) for sponsored projects. |
| Patent & IPR | Operate the IPR Cell; promote patenting culture; assist in filing patents; meet all patent-related expenses from institutional funds. |
| Ethics Oversight | Oversee IAEC and IHEC to ensure all research complies with national and institutional ethical standards. |
| Infrastructure | Oversee the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF), Centres of Excellence (CoEs), and laboratory infrastructure development. |
| Collaborations & MoUs | Facilitate and monitor national and international MoUs, collaborative research initiatives, and faculty/student exchange programmes. |
| Innovation & Incubation | Support the Centre for Innovation and Incubation (CII) under UECH for startup incubation and entrepreneurship development. |
| Publications | Encourage faculty and scholars to publish in high-impact Scopus/WoS/PubMed indexed journals; support APC and publication grants. |
| Capacity Building | Organize research methodology workshops, seminars, and training programmes for faculty, scholars, and students. |
| Performance Monitoring | Maintain records of research output, patents, projects, fellowships, and scholarly activities for NAAC, NIRF, and ranking purposes. |
Research at a Glance
Vision Statement
To establish Utkal University as a globally recognized centre of excellence in multidisciplinary research, innovation, entrepreneurship, and societal transformation by fostering a dynamic, ethical, inclusive, and outcome-oriented research ecosystem aligned with NEP 2020, NAAC Criterion III, NIRF research parameters, Odisha Vision 2036, and India Vision 2047.Mission Pillars
The Research Mission of Utkal University is operationalized through five strategic pillars:| M-1 | Promote Quality, Interdisciplinary & Impactful Research Foster fundamental, applied, translational, and interdisciplinary research that contributes to scientific advancement, policy development, sustainable development goals, and societal well-being in alignment with NAAC Criterion III and NIRF research productivity indicators. |
| M-2 | Strengthen Research Infrastructure, Funding & Capacity Building Develop advanced research infrastructure, digital resources, faculty development programmes, research training, and mechanisms for mobilization of extramural funding to enhance institutional research excellence and innovation capacity. |
| M-3 | Enhance Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Knowledge Transfer Encourage patents, copyrights, consultancy, startups, incubation activities, industry-academia collaborations, and technology transfer through the Centre for Innovation and Incubation to promote research commercialization and societal impact. |
| M-4 | Promote Collaboration, Publication & Global Visibility Strengthen national and international collaborations, MoUs, joint research initiatives, quality publications in indexed peer-reviewed journals, citation impact, and academic networking to improve global research visibility and NIRF performance. |
| M-5 | Ensure Ethical, Inclusive & Socially Relevant Research Uphold research ethics, integrity, inclusivity, environmental sustainability, and community engagement by encouraging research addressing local, regional, tribal, cultural, health, and developmental challenges in alignment with NEP 2020 and Odisha Vision 2036. |
Alignment with National & Institutional Frameworks
| Framework | Focus Area | Relevance to Utkal University Research |
|---|---|---|
| NEP 2020 | Multidisciplinary Research, Innovation & Entrepreneurship | Guides UU’s CoE approach, CII, and interdisciplinary research initiatives. |
| NAAC Criterion III | Research, Innovations & Extension Activities | Provides quality benchmarks for evaluating research productivity and output. |
| NIRF Research Parameters | Publications, Patents, Projects, PhDs | Drives UU’s consistent Top 100 ranking position among Indian universities. |
| Odisha Vision 2036 | Inclusive & Sustainable Development for Odisha | Shapes socially relevant, community-focused, and regional development research. |
| India Vision 2047 | Viksit Bharat – Innovation-led Economic Growth | Anchors UU’s innovation, IP generation, and startup ecosystem development. |
| SDGs (UN) | Sustainable Development Goals | Aligns UU research with global goals on health, climate, equity, and prosperity. |
To ensure excellence, transparency, accountability, and quality assurance in research and innovation, Utkal University has established a multi-tiered research governance framework in alignment with global academic standards, NEP 2020, NAAC Criterion III, and NIRF research parameters.
Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Composition: Vice-Chancellor (Chairperson) | Distinguished internal faculty members | Eminent external experts from diverse academic disciplines Role: Highest strategic advisory body for research and innovation in the University Key Functions: • Providing strategic direction for research development, innovation, and academic excellence • Advising on institutional research priorities in alignment with national and global research agendas • Promoting interdisciplinary, translational, and socially relevant research initiatives • Reviewing and strengthening research policies, governance mechanisms, and quality benchmarks • Facilitating national and international collaborations, partnerships, and research networking • Encouraging innovation, intellectual property generation, entrepreneurship, and technology transfer • Supporting dissemination of research outcomes through quality publications, patents, and policy contributions |
University Research Committee (URC) Composition: Vice-Chancellor (Chairperson) | Senior faculty members from various disciplines | Distinguished external experts from reputed universities, research institutions, and industries Role: Apex academic and administrative authority for research governance within the University Key Functions: • Formulating, reviewing, and strengthening research policies, regulations, and operational procedures • Monitoring research quality, productivity, outcomes, and compliance with ethical standards • Encouraging innovative and emerging research areas with interdisciplinary relevance • Guiding faculty members and researchers regarding intramural and extramural funding opportunities • Recommending deserving research proposals for seed grants and institutional support • Evaluating research performance, publication quality, patents, consultancy, and collaborative activities • Addressing and resolving research-related issues referred by Departmental Research Committees • Supporting measures to enhance the University’s performance under NAAC, NIRF, and global rankings |
Departmental Research Committee (DRC) Composition: Head of Department (Chairperson) | Faculty members from the department | External subject experts representing various specializations | Tenure: Two (2) years Role: Primary academic body for research monitoring, mentoring, and quality assurance at departmental level Key Functions: • Reviewing and evaluating research proposals for academic relevance, originality, feasibility, and methodological rigor • Guiding scholars in research design, methodology development, ethical compliance, and data analysis • Monitoring progress of Ph.D. scholars and postdoctoral fellows through periodic reviews and presentations • Providing academic mentorship and constructive recommendations for improving research quality and outcomes • Evaluating and recommending cases for Ph.D. registration, progression, pre-submission, and thesis submission • Identifying departmental research needs related to infrastructure, laboratories, equipment, and software • Coordinating with URC for strengthening departmental research capabilities and collaborative opportunities • Promoting publication ethics, quality research dissemination, and participation in scholarly activities |
Research Policy – Overview
The Research Policy of Utkal University outlines the general framework for the development, promotion, and conduct of high quality research consistent with the mission of the University. The Director of R&D ensures its implementation at all levels. The policy is updated from time to time in consultation with the IQAC.
Research Policy
This Research Policy outlines the general framework for the development, promotion, and conduct of research of high quality following the principle of research ethics, and consistent with the mission of Utkal. The primary objectives of this policy are as follows:- Create a conducive environment for a better research ecosystem with action plans to support research activities in the University from time to time.
- Encourage research as an essential aspect of teaching-learning to inculcate research aptitude among the students
- To draw attention towards the priority of local/regional/National interest
- To establish and strengthen the Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) with high-end equipment and central computation facilities.
- To establish different Centres of excellence (CoEs) to promote interdisciplinary research and collaborations with National and International institutions
- To promote the publication of research findings in quality peer-reviewed, journals, books, and book chapters/monographs.
- Patent and/or commercialize innovative products and processes
- Highlight research achievements and activities to improve the University rankings at the National and International level.
- Strengthen the Research and development cell for strategic plans, management, and monitoring of research programmes and performance.
- Encourage the Department/schools and faculty members to generate funds through sponsored projects.
- Provide an ecosystem for innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Provide support for consultancy, collaboration, and outreach (Extension) activities to enhance the research culture.
- Integrate support for both fundamental and translational research for the generation of new knowledge and product.
- Promoting good practices and ensuring ethics in data acquisition, storage, and management and upholding the highest standard of ethical conduct in research.
- Appreciation / incentives to the researchers/ faculty members of the University for publishing articles in peer reviewed journals of international repute and books from reputed publishers; filing/publication of patents and development of products; receiving research grants and other research related achievements. Read More
A. Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (IAEC)
The studies involving the use of animal models at Utkal University are followed according to national guidelines framed by “The Committee for the Purpose of Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals (CPCSEA),” Government of India.| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Registration | CPCSEA Reg. No. 192/GO/Re/S/2000/CPCSEA |
| Composition | 5 members + 4 nominees nominated by CPCSEA |
| Tenure | 3 years per appointment cycle |
| Leadership | Chairperson and Member Secretary nominated by the institute from existing members |
| Review Cycle | Committee meets at regular intervals; Animal House inspected at regular intervals by CPCSEA-appointed competent official |
Primary Duties of IAEC
- Review and approve animals required for experimental usage before commencement of any study
- Monitor judicial usage, ethical handling, and healthy maintenance of experimental animals during the entire study period
- Screen all project proposals experiment-wise to determine the number of animal allotments required
- Faculty members are required to provide updates on usage and data generated from previous allotments before the committee on a half-yearly basis
- Regularly monitor procedures and practices related to animal experiments to ensure animal welfare and ethics are strictly followed at every point of research
- Ensure that the Animal House is maintained in hygienic conditions and meets all standards prescribed by CPCSEA
B. Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC)
Utkal University has also constituted an Institutional Human Ethics Committee (IHEC) to review and approve research involving human participants. The committee ensures that all research involving human subjects adheres to the ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. It reviews proposals involving human subjects for clinical studies, social science research, surveys, psychological studies, and any research involving personal data, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, and privacy protection in accordance with national and international ethical guidelines.Scope of IHEC Review
- Clinical and biomedical research involving human participants
- Social science and humanities research involving surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation
- Psychological studies and behavioral research involving human subjects
- Research involving personal data, medical records, or biometric information
- Research involving vulnerable populations including children, elderly, differently-abled, and tribal communities
- All research funded by external agencies that requires ethics clearance as a condition of the grant
C. General Research Ethics Framework
All research carried out at Utkal University shall comply with institutional, national, and international guidelines and principles. All researchers are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct, integrity, and honesty in their research. The Research Ethics framework covers:| Ethics Area | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Academic Integrity | Avoidance of plagiarism, data manipulation, fabrication, or falsification of research results in any form. |
| Authorship Ethics | Due authorship, affiliation, and acknowledgment to the University and funding agencies in all publications. |
| Conflict of Interest | Researchers must declare and manage any conflict of interest in their research activities and publications. |
| Data Management | Ethical data acquisition, storage, management, and sharing in accordance with research ethics guidelines. |
| Publication Ethics | Avoidance of simultaneous submission, duplicate publication, and salami slicing of research findings. |
| IPR Compliance | Formal permission from the R&D Cell required before filing any Intellectual Property arising from University research. |
| Sponsored Research | Guidelines of funding agencies must be followed in all activities including engagement of research staff and submission of utilization certificates. |
About the IPR
Creativity and innovation are the new drivers of the world economy. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind.Intellectual property Rights (IPR) plays a dynamic role in enhancing the socio-economic wealth of the country. These rights are outlined in Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which provides for the right to benefit from the protection of moral and material interests resulting from authorship of scientific, literary or artistic productions. The importance of intellectual property was first recognized in the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property (1883) and the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886). Both treaties are administered by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
R&D Cell – Organogram
OSD Research (Officer on Special Duty) | Director, R&D Cell Prof. (Dr.) Joydev Dinda | Assistant Director, R&D (Research Administration) |
PG Departments (HODs & DRCs) | Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) | Centres of Excellence (11 CoEs) | Centre for Innovation & Incubation (CII) | Ethical Committees (IAEC & IHEC) |
Organogram: Utkal University Research & Development Cell administrative structure showing reporting hierarchy from Vice Chancellor through Director R&D and OSD Research to departmental and institutional research units.
Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF)
The vision of the CIF is to provide a central facility with the latest and advanced analytical techniques for cutting-edge research in various areas of science and technology. A dedicated three-storeyed CIF building was constructed at a central location in the University campus with the aid of the Government of Odisha, housing high-end analytical equipment under one roof. The idea was declared by the Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik.
CIF Objectives
- Provide facilities for sophisticated analytical instruments to facilitate multidisciplinary research and cater to the needs of academic departments of the University
- Extend the facility to researchers from other institutes and universities, as and when required
- Provide expert guidance for data acquisition using sophisticated instruments
- Organise short-term courses, workshops, and training programmes on analytical techniques for students, research scholars, laboratory assistants, and faculty of Utkal University and other institutions
- Augment the instrumental facility from time to time to establish the centre as a major facility for spectral measurements, molecular and crystal structure determination, and imaging analyses in the eastern region
University Research Infrastructure – Key Facilities
| Facility | Description |
|---|---|
| CIF Building | Dedicated 3-storey building constructed with Government of Odisha funding. Houses state-of-the-art analytical instruments for cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. |
| Laboratories | 58 laboratories across science, humanities, social science, and professional departments with adequate space and basic infrastructure for research activities. |
| Research Scholars’ Rooms | 30 dedicated research scholars’ rooms across the campus providing workspace for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers. |
| Seminar Halls | 27 seminar halls equipped with audio-visual infrastructure for academic seminars, research presentations, workshops, and conferences. |
| Smart Classrooms | 145 smart classrooms with digital learning infrastructure supporting research-integrated teaching. |
| Libraries | 30 well-stocked departmental and university libraries with e-journal access, digital repositories, and research databases. |
| Computer Centre | 5 dedicated servers and 515 computers supporting computational research, data science, bioinformatics, and e-learning infrastructure. |
| Internet Connectivity | Wi-Fi enabled campus with 1 Gbps high-speed internet connectivity supporting digital research infrastructure and e-resources access. |
| Faculty Rooms | 177 faculty rooms providing dedicated workspace for research and academic activities across all departments. |
Centres of Excellence (CoEs)
The University has established 11 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) supported under RUSA (Rashtriya Uchhatar Shiksha Abhiyan) and WB-OHEPEE (Odisha Higher Education Programme for Equity & Excellence) to strengthen the research infrastructure of the University and carry out interdisciplinary research. These CoEs serve as vehicles for engaging with other research institutions and industries and facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary relationships.
| No. | Centre of Excellence | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centre of Excellence for Environment, Climate Change and Public Health (CoE-ECCPH) | Environmental Sciences, Public Health, Climate Resilience |
| 2 | Centre of Excellence in High Energy and Condensed Matter Physics | Physics, Material Science, Nuclear Sciences |
| 3 | Centre of Excellence in Advanced Materials and Applications (CoE AM&A) | Materials Chemistry, Nanotechnology, Applied Sciences |
| 4 | Centre of Excellence for North East Studies | Tribal Studies, Regional History, Cultural Anthropology |
| 5 | Centre of Excellence in Computational Data Science and Artificial Intelligence | Computer Science, Data Analytics, Machine Learning |
| 6 | Centre of Excellence in Biotechnology and Life Sciences | Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Genomics |
| 7 | Centre of Excellence in Social Science and Humanities Research | Sociology, Psychology, Economics, Political Science |
| 8 | Centre of Excellence in Sustainable Agriculture and Environment | Agricultural Sciences, Environmental Studies, Ecology |
| 9 | Centre of Excellence in Indigenous Knowledge Systems | Indian Knowledge System, Traditional Practices, Cultural Heritage |
| 10 | Centre of Excellence in Chemical Sciences | Organic/Inorganic Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry |
| 11 | Centre of Excellence in Law and Governance | Constitutional Law, Legal Policy, Governance Studies |
Centre for Innovation and Incubation (CII) – Utkal University
Established under the RUSA 2.0 program (Ministry of Education, GoI), the Centre for Innovation and Incubation (CII) operates under the Utkal Entrepreneurship and Career Hub (UECH). It promotes startups, fosters entrepreneurship, and creates a dynamic innovation ecosystem. The CII houses a Living Lab – an experimental platform where students and teachers undertake projects, share learning/ideas for innovation, and apply their knowledge for value generation.
CII – Key Highlights
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Startups Incubated | 24+ startups onboarded under the Udyam Incubation Program from various departments. |
| Industry MoUs | M/S LYFVIBES PRIVATE LIMITED; M/S TNT CTSX Technologies; InFED (IIMN Foundation). |
| Living Lab Units | Mushroom Cultivation, Nursery, Duck-Fish Integrated Farming, Vermicompost, Bio-compost Farming, Beekeeping, Protective Farming. |
| Annual Competition | University Lead Innovation & Start-Up Competition conducted annually to encourage student innovation. |
| National Linkages | Collaboration with Startup India, Odisha Startup Mission, and State Innovation bodies. |
| RUSA Support | Supported under RUSA 2.0 program for venture development and entrepreneurship ecosystem building. |
Research Projects & Project Channels
Utkal University receives financial support from extramural funding agencies for development of research infrastructure, hiring of skilled human resources as research fellows, project fellows, and postdocs. During the last five years, faculty members from various departments have received several extramural projects from CSIR, UGC, DBT, DST, ICSSR, DAE, CCRH, ICPR, NCW, RBI, Ministry of Culture-GOI, DST-Odisha, OSHEC, NALCO, ONGC, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited and others. The University has also been recognized to receive fundings from MHRD-RUSA and World Bank-OHEPEE. During the last five years, more than 1,400 research and review articles have been published in peer-reviewed journals.
April 2023 – March 2024
| Department | Faculty | Project Title | Funding Agency | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | Dr. Sanatan Majhi | Development of Gold Nanoparticles-based Enhanced LFA for Rapid Detection of Foot and Mouth Disease Virus | DST, Govt. of Odisha | ₹5,00,000 | Completed |
| Chemistry | Dr. Braja Narayan Patra | Water Remediation by Using Modified Polyaniline | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹9,50,000 | Completed |
| Political Science | Dr. Smita Nayak | Widening Access to Higher Education in India: Institutional Approaches | NIEPA (CPRHE) | ₹3,30,000 | Completed |
April 2024 – March 2025
| Department | Faculty | Project Title | Funding Agency | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&A Economics | Dr. Himanshu Sekhar Rout | Socio-economic, Climatic Change, Technological Innovation and Marketing Challenge among Handloom Clusters in Odisha – A Longitudinal Study | ICSSR, Govt. of India | ₹1,50,00,000 | Ongoing |
| Anthropology | Prof. (Dr.) Prasanna Kumar Patra | A Bio-Cultural Study of Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation, and Childcare Practices of Lodha and Dongaria Khondh (PVTGs) in Odisha | ICSSR, Govt. of India | ₹25,00,000 | Ongoing |
| Botany | Dr. Chinmay Pradhan | Studies on Biodiversity in Core and Buffer Zone at Mandarin Coal Block Project (KPCL) in Angul District, Odisha | KPCL | ₹14,75,000 | Completed |
| Chemistry | Dr. Ajaya Kumar Behera | Eco-Friendly Biodegradable Natural Fiber-Shorea robusta Leaf Reinforced Hybrid Sapling Pot Composite | Dept. of Forest, Govt. of Odisha | ₹6,60,000 | Completed |
| Chemistry | Prof. (Dr.) Satyanarayan Pal | Studies of Anticancer Agents Based on Iridium(III) and Iron(III) Complexes | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹8,32,000 | Ongoing |
| Statistics | Dr. Prafulla Kumar Swain | Nourishing Futures: Exploring Nutrition, Health and Quality of Life among Adolescents in Bhubaneswar Urban Slums | ICSSR, Govt. of India | ₹6,50,000 | Ongoing |
| Statistics | Dr. Prafulla Kumar Swain | Statistical Modelling & Analysis of Dengue Incidences in Bhubaneswar City, Odisha | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹5,12,000 | Ongoing |
April 2025 – March 2026
| Department | Faculty | Project Title | Funding Agency | Amount | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A&A Economics | Dr. Siba Sankar Mohanty | Coastal Aquaculture in Puri District: Assessing Conflicts & Convergences in Social, Economic & Environmental Trade-offs | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹6,24,000 | Ongoing |
| Anthropology | Prof. (Dr.) Debendra Kumar Biswal | Impact of Social Security Schemes on Food Security & Mother-Child Health among the Bonde Highlanders (PVTGs) of Odisha | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹6,74,000 | Ongoing |
| Anthropology | Prof. (Dr.) Debendra Kumar Biswal | 2nd Call for Multi-Disciplinary Studies on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India (2025-2026) | ICSSR | ₹8,00,000 | Ongoing |
| Botany | Dr. Bhabatarini Panda | Valorization of Fruit Waste for Extraction of Bioactive Compounds and their Potential Applications | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹8,56,000 | Ongoing |
| Chemistry | Prof. (Dr.) Joydev Dinda | Anticancer Intervention by Ag(I)-Au(I)-, Pt(II)- & Au(III)-NHC Complexes; Synthesis, Structures & Screening against Triple Negative Breast Cancer | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹9,80,000 | Ongoing |
| Chemistry | Prof. (Dr.) Sushanta Kumar Badamali | Development of Advanced S-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Degradation of Pharmaceuticals & Pesticides | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹8,29,000 | Ongoing |
| Chemistry | Prof. (Dr.) Sushanta Kumar Badamali | A Sustainable Adsorption Photocatalysis Approach for Organic Pollutant Removal: Supporting Pollution Control Efforts | SPCB, Govt. of Odisha | ₹30,03,000 | Ongoing |
| Odia | Dr. Rudranarayan Mohapatra | Odishare Sahityaka Anusthara – Patra Pratrikara Odia Sahityaku Abadana (2001 to 2025) | MRIP, Dept. of HE, Govt. of Odisha | ₹5,62,000 | Ongoing |
| Public Administration | Dr. Pratima Sarangi | Gender Impact of Climate Change: Socio-Economic & Health Vulnerabilities of Women in Odisha | OSCW, Govt. of Odisha | ₹4,00,000 | Ongoing |
| PMIR | Dr. Bijaya Kumar Sundaray | Providing Medical Equipment at Various Hospitals in Khurda District, Odisha | Powergrid Corp. of India | ₹88,382 | Ongoing |
Project Channels – Administrative Flow
Utkal University has established a systematic administrative flow for project proposal submission, grant release, and utilization certificate submission to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficient processing of all sponsored research projects.
A. Project Proposal Submission
| 01 Principal Investigator (PI) prepares and submits research proposal to Head of Department |
| 02 Head of Department forwards proposal to Director, R&D Cell (Controlling Officer) |
| 03 Director, R&D Cell forwards to Registrar (Head of the Institute) |
| 04 Registrar issues Forwarding Letter signed by Director, R&D Cell to the Funding Agency |
B. Release of Project Grant
| 01 Sanction Letter from Funding Agency received at Registrar’s Office |
| 02 Registrar marks Sanction Letter to R&D Cell for processing |
| 03 R&D to Compilation Section for Confirmation of Grant amount |
| 04 Compilation Section confirms and returns details to R&D |
| 05 R&D forwards to Registrar → Registrar to Comptroller of Finance (CoF) |
| 06 CoF to Budget & Accounts Officer (BAO) → BAO to Internal Audit Wing (IAW) |
| 07 IAW to BAO → BAO to CoF for financial concurrence |
| 08 CoF to Registrar → Registrar to Vice Chancellor for Administrative Approval |
| 09 VC approves → Registrar to Director, R&D Cell with approval |
| 10 R&D directs PI to open a new Savings Bank Account for the current project |
| 11 PI submits account front page to R&D; Release Order prepared by R&D Section |
| 12 Release Order sent to Registrar for signature → Registrar to R&D → R&D to Dispatch |
| 13 Dispatch forwards to CoF → CoF to Payment Section → Bank Transfer to PI Account |
C. Project Submission – Utilization Certificate & Statement of Accounts
01 PI submits audited Utilization Certificate (UC), Statement of Expenditure (SE) & Project Report to Head of Department |
02 Head of Department forwards documents to Director, R&D Cell |
03 Director, R&D Cell forwards to Registrar for signature on UC & SE |
04 Registrar to CoF for signature on UC & SE |
05 CoF to BAO → BAO to Internal Audit Wing (IAW) for audit |
06 IAW to CoF → CoF to Registrar → Registrar to Director, R&D Cell |
07 Director, R&D Cell prepares and signs the Forwarding Letter |
08 Forwarding Letter dispatched to the Funding Agency with all documents |
A. International MoUs
| Institution | Year | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany | 2018 | Academic exchange program; Department of Anthropology collaboration in Sociology & Cultural Anthropology | Active |
| University of California, Berkeley, USA | 2019 | Academic exchange program under RUSA 2.0 – student and faculty exchange | Active |
| University of Sugriwa, Bali, Indonesia | 2022 | Joint projects, conferences, and workshops in inter-cultural studies | Active |
| Groningen University, The Netherlands | 2022 | Academic exchange involving students and faculty across disciplines | Active |
| Mahendradatta University, Bali, Indonesia | 2023 | Joint projects, conferences, and workshops in academic collaboration | Active |
| North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa | 2023 | Joint Master degree programs and research collaborations | Active |
| North Eastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA | 2024 | RUSA 2.0 Venture Development Program – entrepreneurship and startup initiatives | Active |
| ETS India, New Delhi | 2024 | Institutional partner for GRE and TOEFL examinations | Active |
| ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations), New Delhi | 2024 | Admitting international students and cultural exchange programs | Active |
| Ural State Forest Engineering University (USFEU), Russia | 2026 (Process) | IT Management and Russian Language – under process | Pending |
| International Centre for Cultural Studies, Bharat, New Delhi | Feb 2026 | Indian Knowledge System – research and academic collaboration | Active |
B. National MoUs & Collaborations
| Organisation | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|
| BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre) | Scientific research collaboration in nuclear and materials science | Active |
| AMD (Atomic Minerals Directorate) | Research collaboration in atomic minerals exploration and science | Active |
| L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar | Biomedical and ophthalmological research collaboration | Active |
| Institute of Life Sciences, Bhubaneswar | Life sciences and biotechnology research collaboration | Active |
| CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar | Materials science and technology research collaboration | Active |
| IMGENEX India Pvt. Ltd., Bhubaneswar | Industry-academia collaboration for research and product development | Active |
| CIPET, Bhubaneswar | Academic and research collaboration in petrochemicals engineering | Active |
| NIELIT | Affiliation for IECT (Institute of Electronics and Computer Training) courses | Active |
| IIMN Foundation for Entrepreneurship (InFED) | Business Incubator for CII, Utkal University – entrepreneurship support | Active |
| M/S LYFVIBES PRIVATE LIMITED | CII, Utkal University – startup incubation and collaboration | Active |
| M/S TNT CTSX Technologies | CII, Utkal University – technology and innovation collaboration | Active |
| PHDMA (Poverty and Human Development Monitoring Agency) | Odisha Development Fellow Program – social science research | Active |
| National Human Welfare Board Trust (NHWBT), Bhubaneswar | P.G. Department of Law – legal research and outreach | Active |
C. MoU Activity Photographs
MOU with university of Bali
Utkal University NITI Aayog / National Policy Meeting – research collaboration discussion at the university
A. Research Fellowships
Doctoral and Post-doctoral research scholars qualifying through different national-level competitive examinations have been receiving fellowships to pursue their research at Utkal University. During the last 5 years, researchers of Utkal University have received more than 200 fellowships from various government funding agencies.Funding Agencies Providing Fellowships
| Science & Technology | Social Sciences & Humanities | Government Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| CSIR, DST, DBT, DAE, MoES, ICMR | ICSSR, ICHR, ICPR, NCW | UGC, MANF, MHRD-RUSA, OHEPEE, OSHEC, CCRH |
Recent Fellowship – Details
| Sl. | Type | Name | Department | Title | Funding Agency / Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Post Doctoral Fellowship | Dr. Bibhuti Bhusan Nayak | P.G. Dept. of Public Administration | Health Care Policies and Practices: A Study on KBK District of Odisha | ICSSR | 02.03.2026 |
B. World’s Top 5% Scientists – Science-Rank Global Registry 2025
In a significant achievement for Odisha’s higher education and research ecosystem, six faculty members of Utkal University have been featured among the world’s top five percent scientists in the prestigious Science-Rank Global Registry 2025 — a global ranking based on research output, scientific impact, and scholarly contributions. The announcement was made on 8 June 2026. Utkal University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Chandi Prasad extended congratulations to the scientists on this remarkable accomplishment. Source: Ommcom News, June 8, 2026 — “Utkal University Shines Globally As Six Scientists Enter World’s Top 5% List”
The Science-Rank Global Registry identifies the world’s leading researchers based on standardised citation metrics including research output, scientific impact, h-index, co-authorship, and composite bibliometric scores from Scopus data. Researchers are classified across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields. The six scientists from Utkal University earned global recognition for their pioneering work in diverse fields including cancer therapeutics, green energy, plant genome mapping, oxidative stress and antioxidant defence mechanisms, redox biology, and economic analysis. Their research has received widespread international acclaim and has been cited extensively by scholars across the world.
Six Utkal University Scientists – Science-Rank Global Registry 2025
| No. | Name & Designation | Department | Research Domain | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prof. Srirup Goswami | Department of Geology | Geology & Earth Sciences | Pioneering research in geological sciences, green energy, and extensive international citations with significant research impact. |
| 2 | Prof. Nigamananda Das (Emeritus Professor) | Department of Chemistry | Chemistry | Eminent Emeritus Professor in Chemistry; notable contributions to cancer therapeutics and chemical sciences; widely cited researcher. |
| 3 | Prof. Joydev Dinda (Director, R&D Cell) | Department of Chemistry | Organometallic Chemistry; N-Heterocyclic Carbene (NHC) Complexes; Cancer Therapeutics | 84+ publications; 1,838+ citations; DST-SERB grant recipient; awarded 3 post-doctoral fellowships in Taiwan, Germany, and France. |
| 4 | Prof. Anath Bandhu Das (Emeritus Scientist) | Department of Botany | Plant Genome Mapping; Plant Molecular Biology | Emeritus Scientist with pioneering contributions to plant genome mapping and plant molecular biology. |
| 5 | Dr. Himanshu Sekhar Rout | Department of Analytical & Applied Economics (A&A Economics) | Economic Analysis; Handloom Economics; Socio-economic Research | ICSSR Major Research Project grantee; research on handloom clusters, climate change, and socio-economic development in Odisha. |
| 6 | Prof. Gagan Bihari Nityananda Chayeni (Retired Professor & Former HoD) | Department of Biotechnology & Zoology | Oxidative Stress; Antioxidant Defence Mechanisms; Redox Biology | Distinguished career in biotechnology and zoology; seminal work in oxidative stress and redox biology; former Head of Department. |
C. Awards & Recognitions
Research scholars, Post-doctoral fellows, and Faculty members have received more than 100 awards for their research and extracurricular activities from several National and International organizations. These awards are based on their participation in and presentation of research activities at national and international workshops, conferences, seminars, and symposia.Key Recognition Categories
- Best Paper Awards at national and international conferences and symposia
- Young Scientist Awards from scientific bodies and government agencies
- National Science Day felicitations and SERB-DST recognition awards
- University Lead Innovation & Start-Up Competition winners – felicitated at Utkal University
- Odisha Research Conclave participation awards and best poster / presentation recognition
- NAAC peer review commendations for research excellence
- International awards from collaborating universities and research organizations
- Science-Rank Global Registry 2025 recognition – six scientists in World’s Top 5% (June 2026)
D.Research Milestones
|
1,400+
Publications
(Last 5 Yrs) |
53+
Patents Filed/Granted |
200+
Fellowships Received |
6
World Top
5% Scientists |
11
Centres
of Excellence |
24+
Startups
Incubated |
| Milestone | Achievement |
|---|---|
| Extramural Funding Received | ₹1767.4 lakhs towards 74 research projects over 5 years |
| Centres of Excellence | 11 CoEs established under RUSA and WB-OHEPEE programmes |
| Publications | 1,400+ research/review articles in peer-reviewed journals (last 5 years) |
| Patents | 53+ patents filed/published/granted across multiple domains (last 5 years) |
| Fellowships | 200+ fellowships received by researchers from national funding agencies |
| Ph.D. Scholars | 245 doctoral students currently enrolled across 27 P.G. Departments |
| World Top 5% Scientists | 6 faculty members in Science-Rank Global Registry 2025 (June 2026) |
| International MoUs | 11 active MoUs with international universities across 4 continents |
| CIF Development | State-of-the-art Central Instrumentation Facility established on campus |
| RUSA 2.0 Programs | Academic exchange with UC Berkeley and Northeastern University, Boston |
| CII Incubation | 24+ startups incubated under the Udyam Incubation Program |
E. Ph.D. Scholars – Programme Details
Utkal University has a vibrant doctoral research programme with scholars enrolled across all 27 Post-Graduate Departments in Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Commerce, and Business Administration. The University currently has 245 doctoral students enrolled in Ph.D. programmes. The University follows UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations. Candidates with a minimum of 55% marks in the relevant Master’s degree from a recognized university are eligible. Each scholar is supported by a Doctoral Advisory Committee (DAC) comprising the Research Supervisor/Co-Supervisor, Chairman DRC, and a Nominee of the Vice Chancellor. Ph.D. registration is open from September 2025 onwards.| Programme Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Enrolled Ph.D. Scholars | 245 doctoral students currently enrolled (2025–26) |
| Departments Offering Ph.D. | 27 Post-Graduate Departments across Sciences, Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, and Commerce |
| Eligibility | Minimum 55% marks in the relevant Master’s degree from a recognized University |
| Admission Process | National/University-level entrance test followed by interview as per UGC Regulations |
| Doctoral Advisory Committee | Research Supervisor/Co-Supervisor, Chairman DRC, and Nominee of the Vice Chancellor |
| Registration (Latest Batch) | September 2025 onwards |
| Regulations | UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of Ph.D. Degree) Regulations, 2022 |
Publications
Utkal University supports quality research and traditionally publishes research articles in peer-reviewed journals with international repute. During the last five years students, research scholars, and faculty members have published more than 1400 research and review articles in peer-reviewed journals with good impact factor. These includes journals from leading publishing houses like Acta Scientific, Annals, Elsevier, FEBS, Frontiers, Cell press, Nature publishing group, Springer, Taylor & Francis group, Royal Society of Chemistry, The Lancet, Wiley Online Library, American Chemical Society, MDPI, PLoS, etc. Few of our publications have been acknowledged as highly cited papers from India. Besides these, more than 100 book chapters have been published in both national and international publishing houses during this period.
Utkal University hosts two significant endowed chairs advancing specialized research. These chairs bring focused expertise and dedicated institutional resources to key areas of academic importance, each supported by a dedicated team of Research Officers and Research Fellows.
RBI Endowment Chair in Analytical & Applied Economics Established: 1979 | Corpus: ₹1.28 Crore | Sponsor: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) About the Chair The RBI Endowment Chair in Analytical and Applied Economics manages a ₹1.28 Crore corpus that funds a full-salaried Chair Professor, 2 Research Officers, and 4 Research Fellows. Established in 1979 through a generous endowment by the Reserve Bank of India, this Chair has been one of the longest-running endowed academic positions in the University. Human Resources Supported • Chair Professor: 1 (Full salary supported by the corpus) • Research Officers: 2 (Dedicated to banking, finance, and economic research) • Research Fellows: 4 (Supporting research activities and publications) Key Activities & Outputs • Quality research publications in banking, finance, and monetary economics • Organization of workshops and seminars on banking, fiscal policy, and economic issues • Financial literacy and awareness programs for students and community stakeholders • Mentoring Research Officers and Research Fellows in economic research methodology • Contributing to national economic policy discourse through research and consultancy • Collaboration with RBI, financial institutions, and economic research bodies |
Buxi Jagabandhu Endowed Chair Established: 2019 | Occasion: Bicentennial of the Paika Rebellion (1817) Supported by: Ministry of Culture, Government of India & Government of Odisha About the Chair The Buxi Jagabandhu Chair was established in recognition of the bicentennial of the Paika Rebellion of 1817 – widely recognized as one of India’s first organized wars of independence. Named after Buxi Jagabandhu Bidyadhara, the commander of the Paika forces of Khurda, this Chair focuses on interdisciplinary studies of Odisha’s resistance history, cultural heritage, and public memory. Human Resources Supported • Research Associate: 1 (Specializing in Odisha history and cultural studies) • Research Assistant: 1 (Supporting archival research and documentation) Key Research Focus Areas • Interdisciplinary research on Odisha’s Paika Rebellion of 1817 – historical, cultural, and sociological dimensions • Documentation and systematic archiving of historical records related to the Paika Rebellion and its aftermath • Studies on public memory, oral history, and cultural heritage of the Paika Rebellion across Odisha • Integration of Paika Rebellion history in academic curriculum at school and university levels • Collaboration with state archives, museums, cultural institutions, and Ministry of Culture (GOI) • Research on regional resistance movements and their contribution to India’s freedom struggle narrative |
1. NITI Aayog / National Policy Research Meeting
Strategic meeting at Utkal University – collaborative research planning and policy discussion with government representatives and university leadership _ 17.10.2025
Utkal University actively engages with national policy bodies including NITI Aayog for collaborative research planning. Faculty members and senior officers participate in strategic meetings focusing on research priority-setting, innovation policy, and institutional development aligned with India’s national research agenda.2. Research Orientation & Training Programme
IPR orientation and training programme for faculty and scholars at Utkal University – capacity building for research excellence_20.12.2021
3. Odisha Research Conclave 2024 – Utkal University Stall
Utkal University at the Odisha Research Conclave 2024, Fakir Mohan University – showcasing patents and research achievements
Utkal University at the Odisha Research Conclave 2026, Sambalpur University
4. Felicitation Programme – Faculty & Research Scholars (30 January 2026)
Felicitation Programme of Faculty and Research Scholars – Utkal University, PG Council Hall, Vani Vihar _30.01.2026
5. National Science Day – 28th February 2026
National Science Day Celebration 2026 at Utkal University – Theme: ‘Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat’. Faculty felicitation and award ceremony on the occasion of National Science Day.
About Research Conclave:-
The practice of research and innovation has been widely accepted as the most essential component of a developing nation’s repertoire of higher education. While research contributes to creation and application of new knowledge, innovation not only incites deeper understanding, but also parallel thinking regarding value creation out of research. Cross-boundary research at intersection of various disciplines led major scientific and societal breakthroughs. Thus, many of today’s complex problems ranging from poverty to pandemic are addressed using a multidisciplinary approach.
University Research Infrastructure:-
In order to undertake and promote quality research in the University infrastructural and instrumental facilities have been developed in various Departments, Centre of Excellences (CoEs) and a dedicated Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF).
The Departments under science stream are provided with adequate space for research laboratories with basic infrastructure. Required instrumental facilities have been developed in each Department utilizing funds received from different sources. Specific facilities for computational and data science, agricultural, biomedical science and interdisciplinary research involving physical and chemical sciences have also been developed in the campus for research purpose. The University focuses more on interdisciplinary research involving all the related Departments.
Research excellence in Science and Technology of an institution is increasingly dependent on the availability of advanced instrumental facilities and easy accessibility. The idea of establishing a Central Instrumental Facility (CIF) with high-end equipment under one roof saw the light when Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha Shri Naveen Patnaik declared to provide funds to establish a Central Instrumental Facility at Utkal University. A dedicated three-storeyed CIF building was built at a central place in the University campus with the aid of the Government of Odisha.
The vision of the CIF is to provide a central facility with the latest and advanced analytical techniques for cutting-edge research in various areas of science and technology and has set the following objectives:
- To provide facilities for sophisticated analytical instruments to facilitate multidisciplinary research and to cater to the needs of the academic departments of the University.
- To extend the facility to the researchers from other institutes as and when required.
- To provide guidance for the acquisition of data using sophisticated Instruments.
- To organise short-term courses/workshops/training programmes on the use and applications of various analytical techniques for students, research scholars, laboratory assistants and faculty of Utkal University and also from other Laboratories, Universities and Industries.
- To augment the instrumental facility from time to time to establish the centre as a major facility for spectral measurements, molecular and crystal structure determination, and imaging analyses in the eastern region.
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