New Delhi, 19 October 2021 – The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has signed an agreement with the Institute of Odia Studies and Research (IOSR) to introduce engineering courses in the Odia language. The signing ceremony took place at IIT Bhubaneswar and the collaborationโs aim is to develop study materials in the regional language so that students of Odisha are able to grasp engineering concepts more effectively. IOSR and AICTE will work together to develop the study material. AICTE will take care of the cost of translation and review, while IOSR will be responsible for nominating translators, reviewers, and academicians for the translation.ย
Talking about the agreement, Anil D Shahasrabudhe, the Chairman of AICTE said, โLearning in your own mother tongue is inherently much simpler and more effective…AICTE has already granted permission to 20 institutes to impart technical programmes in regional language by granting supernumerary seats. In this context, the present MoU between AICTE & IOSR for translating books in Odia language shall be helpful to all students in the state of Orissa.โย
Abasar Beuria, Chairman of IOSR noted in this regard, โThis is a big occasion for IOSR. As part of its mission to develop Odia as a language of knowledge as well as development, the current MoU shall greatly expand the proliferation of Odia amongst technical institutes and students. We shall endeavour to convert maximum technical books in Odia language so that the technical institutes in the state of Orissa can also start their courses in regional language.โย
Engineering Studies in Odia – How Will the Agreement be Carried Out?
AICTE has agreed to cover the cost of translation and review of textbooks. Translators will be paid INR 1 lakh per book, while Odia language reviewers will be paid INR 40,000 per book. If multiple translators and reviewers are involved, the amount will be split proportionally among all of them.ย
IOSR will be responsible for highlighting and incorporating technical and scientific terms used in the five major technical areas: mechanical, civil, electronic, electrical, and computer engineering.ย
Note: The agreement signed between AICTE and IOSR is valid for 2 years.
Studying in Native Language Not Detrimental – Union Education Minister
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 suggests that higher education institutions need to utilize their native languages as a means of instruction.ย
In regards to that, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan noted, โOne of NEP2020โs top recommendations, engineering research in the local language, will open the door to innovation and large-scale employability.โ
He addressed all qualms related to studying in Odia by stating, โThere should be no misconception that studying in your native language would be detrimental to us. All developed countries, whether Japan, China, Italy, or Germany, advertise and use only their own language. It is highly developed.โ
Detailed List of AICTE Scholarships
| S.No. | Scholarship Name | Number of Scholarships | Application Period* |
| 1. | AICTE-Saksham Scholarship Scheme | Not Specified | Between August and October |
| 2. | AICTE Pragati Scholarship for Girls | 5,000 | Between August and October |
| 3. | AICTE PG (GATE/GPAT) Scholarship | NA | Between August and October |
| 4. | AICTE-National Doctoral Fellowship Scheme | 150 | Between May and June |
| 5. | Prime Minister Special Scholarship Scheme (PMSSS), J&K | 5000 | Between April and May |
*The above-mentioned application period is tentative which may change on the discretion of the scholarship provider.
