Sambalpur: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signed an MoU with Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT), Burla, on Tuesday for technical and financial assistance in space research.
The virtual signing ceremony was attended by ISRO Secretary and ex-officio chairman K Sivan and Vice-Chancellor of the varsity Atal Chaudhuri.
According to media reports, ISRO will be providing a one-time grant in aid of Rs 50 lakh as seed money to create laboratory facilities for conducting research and development work in the area of sounding rocket, launch vehicles and satellites. It will also provide training and technical support to the students.
The proposed innovation-cum-incubation centre will also provide students with a better scope for study and research in astronomical science.
This is for the first time that ISRO has inked a deal with a university in the country for research.
Notably, the ISRO had selected this premier technical institute after the ‘sounding rocket’ developed by the VSSUT Innovation Club found a place in the Limca Book of Records.
It may be also mentioned here that Sivan was to be felicitated in the recent convocation of the VSSUT, but he couldn’t make it to the event due to his busy schedules. Following which, a VSSUT delegation went to the ISRO for the purpose.