By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 2, 2017 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday sought Institute of National Importance status on NISER, in line with the original vision of NISER and its parity with IISERs to place it in the list of world-class institutions.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the chief minister urged that NISER be recognized as an Institute of National Importance by an Act of the Parliament

“While IISERs have been designated as Institute of National Importance, degrees of NISER students continue to be awarded by the deemed University Homi Bhaba National Institute (HBNI) and the academic activities are being governed by HBNI. Thus unlike the IISERs the NISER Academic Council and the Board of Governors currently do not have the autonomy to take and implement the academic and administrative decisions. A draft Bill to accord NISER the status of an Institute of National Importance was prepared by NISER and sent to DAE five years ago. Our Chief Secretary has written to Dr. Anil Katodkar, former Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission in this regard on 20.1.2012. But it appears no action has been taken by DAE regarding such enactment about NISER,” Patnaik wrote.

Not having the status of Institute of National Importance may also prevent NISER from competing in the MHRD selection of world-class institutions. This would be grossly unfair, as in terms of research contribution, as compiled by the Nature Index NISER is among the top-five in the country, he added.