Receipt of Financial Support from STPI for strengthening a Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality Centre (VARCoE) at IIT Bhubaneswar

As part of IIT Bhubaneswar’s initiative for strengthening Research and Entrepreneurship supported by In Jan 2018, Smt. Susmita Bagchi and Shri Subroto Bagchi provided a philanthropic support of Rs 2.50 crore followed by a matching grant from Startup Odish to Research and Entrepreneurship Park of IIT Bhubaneswar to establish a Center of Excellence in Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality (VARCoE) to enhance research and entrepreneurship activity in this important area. Subsequently, Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), provided a grant of Rs 2.50 crore to the VARCoE initative.

In a meeting held on 21.04.2018 (Saturday) Mr. Manas Ranjan Panda, Director, STPI Bhubaneswar handed over a cheque of Rs.2.5 crores to Prof. R. V. Rajakumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar in presence of Mr A P Padhi, Chief Secretary Govt. of Odisha, Mr L.N. Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Mr Ashok Meena, Principal Secretary, CA&PG Department, Shri Subroto Bagchi, Chairman, Odisha Skill Development Authority, Dr Manoranjan Satapathy, Professor-in-charge of the center and Dr Satyanarayan Panigrahi, Head of School of Mechanical Sciences, IIT Bhubaneswar. 

Prof. R. V. Raja Kumar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar mentioned that establishment of VARCoE is one of the first few initiatives in the country in the area of ARVR and expressed his sincere thanks to all the donors for being party to an august beginning and reiterated the commitment of the IIT Bhubaneswar to foster research and entrepreneurship activity in this important area. He also acknowledged that the support will give an impetus to the ongoing research, and help in taking the research activity to the next level including immersive visualisation and technology incubation. 

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Odisha expressed satisfaction on management of the fund and development of the centre by the Institute of National Importance and urged the team members to come out with real innovation that can reach to the masses.

[Prof R.V. Raja Kumar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar receiving a cheque of Rs 2.5 crores from Mr Manas Panda, Director of the Bhubaneswar branch of STPI in the presence of Chief Secretary of Odisha, Additional Chief Secretary of Odisha and Mr Subroto Bagchi]