The Strategic Importance of the Odisha Research Conclave

The Odisha Research Conclave (ORC) stands as a landmark initiative by the Government of Odisha, dedicated to the systemic modernization and advancement of the research landscape across the state's public universities. Far from being a traditional academic conference, the ORC is explicitly defined as a flagship academic program, strategically designed to cultivate an advanced research ecosystem.

This pioneering effort is rooted in a vision that recognizes high-quality research as the foundational requirement for long-term state development and economic growth. The conclave serves as a structured platform for the rigorous dissemination and critical appraisal of research outcomes, enabling crucial scholarly dialogue among researchers, domain experts, and policy makers.

Institutionalizing Quality Control

A defining feature of the ORC framework is its role as a mechanism intended to institutionalize quality control within state-funded research. Researchers are required to present original findings specifically for peer review and expert evaluation. This mandated process reflects a conscious policy decision by the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC) to establish a mandatory quality gateway for publicly financed scholarly endeavors.

By placing critical appraisal at the center of the conclave, the state ensures that investments are geared toward verifiable, scholarly output. This mechanism enhances scholarly visibility, promotes essential cross-disciplinary collaboration, and ultimately accelerates the development of a sustainable and robust research culture throughout Odisha’s educational institutions. The overarching goal is to foster an ecosystem where the quality and integrity of research are continually assessed and improved.

ORC 2025 – Berhampur University and the Mandate for Sustainable Progress

The upcoming Odisha Research Conclave (ORC-2025) is scheduled to be hosted by Berhampur University, Berhampur, from November 27 to 29, 2025.
This three-day event is a collaborative effort executed in association with the Odisha State Higher Education Council (OSHEC), Government of Odisha.

The selection of the host institution and the articulation of the theme provide critical insight into the state’s research priorities. The central theme for ORC-2025 is declared as "Harnessing Research for Sustainable Progress". This theme mandates that the state’s academic agenda must be aligned directly with broader societal and developmental objectives, ensuring that intellectual pursuits translate into actionable progress.

Strategic Selection of the Host Institution

Berhampur University (BU), established in 1967, is a premier affiliating university situated in Southern Odisha. Its choice as the host is strategically significant, underscoring the state’s commitment to regional academic decentralization and institutional capacity building.

Berhampur University holds specific national distinctions that make it an ideal host for this flagship event. The institution has been recognized by the government as a Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) and designated as a PAIR University (Promoting Academic and Industrial Research).These designations link BU directly to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of promoting multidisciplinary and research-intensive institutions. Furthermore, its accreditation with NAAC 'A' Grade and its consistent ranking in the 51–100 band in NIRF (State Public Universities category) reflect its sustained academic and research excellence at the national level.

By selecting a university that has successfully met these national quality and research mandates, OSHEC signals that the ORC platform is designed to operate according to the highest standards, effectively integrating Odisha's research infrastructure with high-level federal policy strategies. The 2025 conclave, therefore, serves as both a state event and a demonstration of Odisha's commitment to implementing NEP-aligned higher education reforms through its most successful regional institutions.

It is important to note that registration for the ORC-2025, which began on September 20, 2025, is mandatory for participation, though no fee is charged, thus ensuring wide accessibility to the state's entire academic community.

The Institutional Philosophy and Core Aims of the ORC

The ORC’s structure is built around several interconnected pillars, all aimed at bolstering the strength and relevance of research within Odisha’s public universities. The fundamental objective is to facilitate the exchange of ideas and findings to strengthen the research base in both the natural and social sciences.

Pillars of the ORC Mandate

1. Peer Review and Critical Appraisal: This is a non-negotiable component. Researchers must present their findings for review by peers and experts. This process is essential for providing exposure and aiding in the development of a vibrant research ecosystem.

2. Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: The conclave actively encourages scholarly dialogue to promote shared knowledge and collaboration across different academic departments and universities.

3. Policy Interface: The platform is designed to connect researchers not only with academic peers but also with policy makers, ensuring that research insights can inform and guide state policy decisions.

The Accountability Loop: ORC and State Fellowship Programs

A defining element of the ORC's function is its direct, crucial role in the administration and performance audit of the Government of Odisha's flagship research incentivization programs. The state has instituted several targeted programs to nurture research and innovation, most notably the Mukhyamantri Research and Innovation Fellowship Program (MRIP)—formerly known as the Odisha University Research and Innovation Incentivization Plan (OURIIP)—and the Odisha Higher Education Plan for Equity and Excellence (OHEPEE).

These initiatives provide tangible support, offering seed funding for early-career faculty members and doctoral/postdoctoral fellowships for scholars qualified in national examinations like NET/GATE.The ORC platform is the mechanism designated for the mandatory, periodic review and evaluation of the progress made by these state-funded scholars and faculty.

The explicit policy linkage between state funding and ORC performance establishes the conclave as a high-stakes performance review mechanism. The continuance of a scholar’s fellowship is contingent upon this periodical review by domain experts at the ORC. If the research work is evaluated to be below a minimum acceptable standard (e.g., below 5 on a scale of 10), the scholarship is subject to discontinuation.

This policy framework ensures institutionalized accountability. By tying the continuation of significant financial support directly to the conclave’s evaluative output, the Government of Odisha ensures that public expenditure on research fellowships is justified by tangible progress, thereby enhancing the overall quality and credibility of the resulting academic work. This rigorous framework is pivotal to the state's long-term strategy for fostering sustainable research quality.

A Chronicle of Excellence – Tracking the ORC’s History and Geographic Rotation

The Odisha Research Conclave operates under a clear policy of geographical inclusion, strategically rotating its venue across various regional public universities to distribute institutional knowledge and elevate academic capacity state-wide. The history of the ORC demonstrates a rapid institutional evolution since its inception.

Inauguration and Early Years

The ORC initiative formally commenced around 2021, establishing the foundational template for academic mobilization.

• ORC-2021: The inaugural two-day conclave was held at Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
  Organized by OSHEC in association with Utkal University, the event focused on improving the quality of research works in state public universities. It established the core mechanism of scholarly presentation (around 170 scholars participated in poster presentations) reviewed by domain experts, including former vice-chancellors and retired professors.

• ORC-2022: The second edition of the conclave was hosted by Ravenshaw University, Cuttack.

• ORC-2023: The conclave moved further west, held at Sambalpur University, Jyoti Vihar.
  This event continued to focus on disseminating knowledge through discussion among researchers and policymakers, serving as a platform to review the progress of OURIIP/MRIP and OHEPEE funded research.

Systemic Maturation (2024 Onward)

The 2024 conclave marked a significant leap in complexity and institutional integration.

• ORC-2024: Hosted by Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, from December 26 to 28. This three-day event, inaugurated by the Union Education Minister, featured seven technical sessions covering themes such as contemporary research in commerce, business management, science and technology, and the impact of NEP 2020 on sustainable industrial growth.

• ORC-2025: Scheduled for Berhampur University, Berhampur, from November 27 to 29, 2025.

The rotational strategy is clearly visible in the hosts: Utkal University (Central), Ravenshaw University (Coastal), Sambalpur University (West), Fakir Mohan University (North), and Berhampur University (South). This calculated rotation is not merely about providing exposure; it is a strategic effort to distribute the intellectual capital, necessary infrastructure focus, and logistical expertise across all regions. By systematically elevating institutional capacity in Western, Northern, and Southern Odisha, the state uses the ORC to counter academic regional imbalances, ensuring that the development of a "vibrant research culture" is equitable and state-wide.

The historical trajectory of the conclave is summarized below:

The Odisha Research Conclave 2025: Harnessing Research for Sustainable Progress and State-Wide Academic Excellence

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