Odisha Skills 2018 competition kicks off

Bhubaneswar: As many as 200 students from across the State congregated at the Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar to participate in ongoing ‘Odisha Skills 2018 ’- the first-of-its-kind State-level skill competition that kick started today.

The two day event aims provide students and trainees across the State, a platform to showcase their talent and prove their skill sets.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who inaugurated the competition today said that the event would help in attracting more youth towards  skill development and bring them more opportunities at global level.

Patnaik also announced a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh for gold medalist, Rs 75,000 for silver medalist and Rs 50,000 for bronze medallist.

During the event, the participants will compete among themselves in 25 trade categories. Those who excel will be selected for the national-level competition.

“This first-of-its-kind Odisha Skills competition will help participants showcase their talent particularly because the State has been emphasising on vocational training, “ said the Organisers.

As part of the event, the state government signed five MoUs with institutes of international repute.

The first MoU was signed between the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Innovation and Enterpreneurship (CIE) and Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in the field of Internet of Things (IoT) and Robotics.

The second was signed between the Central government's Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), and the Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) in the field of super computation, artificial intelligence and high-end research, said an official.

Another MoU is inked between C-DAC and Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) in the similar field of super computation and its use for skill development and research, the official added.

The next MoU was signed between Director of Technical Education and Training, Odisha and Central Tool Room and Training Centre (CTTC) for establishment of five mini tool rooms in five of the leading ITIs at Berhampur, Balasore, Cuttack, Talcher and Hirakud for imparting professional training to ITI cleared students in handling high-end machines and technology.

The last MoU was signed between Odisha Skil Development Authority and Eye Mitra 2.5 New Vision Generation, a division of Essilor India for sector-specific skill development for self employment in vision care.

Agency inputs...