TV
Odisha’s Cuttack is set to become home to India’s first international university for the blind. A central government team recently visited the state and earmarked a 40-acre site near Baranga in the Cuttack district for the establishment of the institute.
"Since the university is of national importance, accessibility is the key. The site is located on the Cuttack-Khordha periphery and would be beneficial to teaching staff commuting daily," said Cuttack Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde.
Reports have also mentioned that the government has conveyed its interest in naming the university after Santha Kabi Bhima Bhoi, a revered Odia blind poet and 19th-century social reformer.
The institute is slated to cater to visually impaired students from India and abroad and offer general education from Class IX onwards, along with vocational courses such as acupuncture and physiotherapy. Additionally, a centre of excellence focused on technology for the visually impaired will be a key feature of the institution.
“We are extremely grateful to the current government for setting up a university for us blind students. It would immensely contribute to our overall development as we will have specialised teachers and training,” said Priyanshu Khamari, a visually impaired student from Ravenshaw University in Cuttack.
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Cutting-Edge Facilities and Global Collaboration
The plan includes accessible residential facilities and an advanced digital lab to enhance learning.
Notably, a delegation from Japan’s University of Tsukuba, renowned for its work in special education, visited Odisha in August 2024 and held discussions with officials from the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD).
Addressing a National Need
India has over 50 lakh blind individuals, with Odisha alone accounting for more than 5.21 lakh, including around 2 lakh young people. Recognizing the need for specialized education and skill development, the state has taken the initiative to establish this pioneering university.
