Infrastructure Upgradation of Dibrugarh University Unveiled
On July 25, the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, laid the foundation stones for the infrastructure upgradation of Dibrugarh University under the PM-USHA Scheme and the Chief Minister’s Special Grant. The project has a total financial outlay of Rs 146.43 crore, aimed at modernizing and expanding the university’s facilities to support academic, research, and extracurricular growth.
Under the PM-USHA Scheme, Rs 70.94 crore has been allocated for infrastructure development. This includes the construction of a 176-bedded girls’ hostel, an academic building, a research centre, an incubation centre, a library, a computer laboratory, and other essential facilities. These upgrades are expected to enhance the learning environment and provide better resources for students and faculty.
In addition, the Chief Minister’s Special Grant will fund projects worth Rs 75.49 crore. These include the construction of a 324-bed girls’ hostel, the extension and repair of internal roads, the construction of a Type-IV housing block with 16 quarters, the development of a sports complex with synthetic tracks, and the upgradation of the gymnasium. These initiatives aim to improve student accommodation, accessibility, and overall campus functionality.
Sarma emphasized that the project is crucial for transforming learning spaces, student accommodation, laboratories, and accessibility. He highlighted the importance of integrating advanced technology, improving energy efficiency, and ensuring long-term sustainability. By doing so, the university can meet global educational standards and foster a vibrant academic community.
Dibrugarh University, established in 1965, has evolved into a leading research-driven institution. It champions multidisciplinary education and celebrates cultural diversity. The university offers a dynamic learning environment that integrates regional issues with global perspectives. Strengthening its infrastructure is vital to empower the institution in pursuing its academic and research aspirations, according to the Chief Minister.
The university’s sprawling 550-acre campus is located at the heart of Northeast India’s industrial and cultural hub. It makes a significant contribution to the academic, cultural, and economic development of the region and beyond. Sarma noted that the infrastructure augmentation of the university was a long-felt need, and its execution is crucial to sustaining its forward march in both academic and extracurricular pursuits.
Various projects worth Rs 50 crore, proposed under the third phase of infrastructure upgradation at Dibrugarh University, are currently under the State Government’s consideration. Work on these projects will begin shortly. The State Government has undertaken various measures to equip the state’s universities with advanced infrastructure and modern technology. Alongside the assistance of nearly Rs 200 crore for Dibrugarh University, the State Government has already extended infrastructural grants of Rs 50 crore each to all newly established universities in the state, and the infrastructure works of several of these universities have already been completed.
The Government has also initiated a Rs 200 crore developmental project for Gauhati University. Additionally, arrangements are being made to construct another campus of Bodoland University at Udalguri and a new state university in the Barak Valley.
Sarma highlighted Assam’s geo-political location and its human resource potential as a vital launch pad to accelerate the development of both the state and the region. He noted that the state’s median age is 22, compared to the national median age of 27.5 years. In this context, he emphasized that colleges and universities must play a decisive role in equipping students with industry-oriented courses that align with the demands of Industry 4.0 technologies.
If this is realized, the human resources of the state can meet the burgeoning needs of ASEAN and BBN countries and elsewhere. Sarma called upon the institutions of higher education to re-invent themselves and play the role of force multiplier in the coming days and create manpower relevant to the needs of Viksit Bharat.
He also mentioned that after the country’s independence, the development of the country was led by the Southern and Western states. However, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the dynamics have changed, and gradually Eastern Indian states like Assam are also gearing up to contribute to the development journey of the nation. To expedite this development journey, one of the ways can be the role of the universities to encourage research on cutting-edge technology relevant to the present-day world.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Sarma also released Dibrugarh University’s Diamond Jubilee theme song. The event was attended by Minister of Education Ranoj Pegu, Minister of Industries and Commerce Bimal Bora, Minister of Medical Education and Research Prasanta Phukan, Vice Chancellor of Dibrugarh University Jiten Hazarika, and a host of other dignitaries.
