Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd (OMC), a state-owned entity, has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TEXMiN-IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, a research park supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. This collaboration aims to focus on capacity building, academic partnerships, research and innovation, and the promotion of safe, sustainable, and digitally enabled mining practices.

The agreement was signed by OMC’s director of Human Resources, Alok Kumar Pal, and the deputy director of IIT (ISM) Dhanbad and project director of TEXMiN Foundation, Prof Dheeraj Kumar. OMC officials noted that this partnership marks a significant advancement in strengthening institutional capabilities and enhancing both managerial and technical competencies.

The collaboration is set to provide structured training programs, policy-oriented learning, and innovation-driven engagement to foster a more efficient, future-ready, and sustainable mining ecosystem in Odisha.

According to OMC officials, the MoU establishes a foundation for extensive collaboration aimed at building employee capacity through academic partnerships and knowledge sharing. Key areas of engagement will include enhancing managerial capabilities, developing a continuous learning ecosystem, collaborating on research and innovation, providing policy and compliance training, and engaging in collaborative projects and case studies.

Additionally, the partnership will encompass management development programs (MDPs), short-term specialized courses, and technical guidance focused on digital transformation, productivity enhancement, and the promotion of safe and sustainable mining operations.