India’s first-ever academic cluster 'SEARCH' launched in Sambalpur

India’s first-ever academic cluster has been launched in Sambalpur, marking a significant milestone in the country’s higher education landscape. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) on Friday, Burla, formally initiating the cluster during the university’s 17th convocation ceremony. The cluster has been named SEARCH, which stands for Sambalpur Educational and Research Cluster Harbour.

The academic cluster brings together seven major higher educational institutions of the region, VSSUT Burla, VIMSAR Burla, Sambalpur University, Gangadhar Meher University, Odisha State Open University, IIM Sambalpur, and OUAT Chiplima. Together, these institutions will function under a unified academic framework aimed at strengthening education and research.

Focus on Multidisciplinary Learning

The Sambalpur Academic Cluster will operate on a multidisciplinary model, allowing students enrolled in one institution to pursue courses offered by other member institutions. The system will support multiple entry options, enabling greater academic flexibility and mobility for students.

“This is the Sambalpur Academic Cluster, named SEARCH, which brings together seven institutions—VSSUT Burla, VIMSAR Burla, IIM Sambalpur, Gangadhar Meher University Sambalpur, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Chiplima, and other partner institutions. With the combined strength of these institutions, we are forming a unified academic cluster. This initiative truly reflects the vision of the National Education Policy, which emphasises multidisciplinary education. Under this system, if a student wishes to shift from one programme to another, they will have ample opportunities and flexibility," said Professor Deepak Kumar Sahu, Vice-Chancellor, VSSUT.
"By working together as a single academic hub or cluster, we aim to make it easier for students to move across disciplines and courses, thereby enhancing academic mobility and holistic learning,” he added.

Joint Academic Programmes

Under the cluster format, the participating institutions will also be able to jointly organise academic programmes, events and initiatives, fostering collaboration in teaching, learning and research across disciplines.