Bhubaneswar: The Skill Development Institute (SDI) Bhubaneswar celebrated its fifth anniversary, titled “SDI Bhubaneswar @ 5 – Celebrating Five Years of the Permanent Campus,” at the Taraboi campus on Wednesday. This milestone marks its evolution into a key center for skill enhancement and preparing future-ready professionals.
The event featured Chief Secretary Anu Garg as the Chief Guest and included notable attendees such as Bhupendra Singh Poonia, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Skill Development & Technical Education Department; Rajesh Swoikia, CFO of NSDC; Rashmi Govil, Chairperson of SDI Bhubaneswar & Director (HR) of Indian Oil; Vincent Luis, India Head of GFTN; Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar, Director of IIT Bhubaneswar; and Ranjan Bhowmick, CEO of SDI Bhubaneswar, along with representatives from various industries and educational institutions.
Dedicating the occasion to advancing skills, SDI Bhubaneswar announced two significant programs. First, a “One-Year Post Graduate Diploma Programme in Advanced Robotics with Artificial Intelligence” in collaboration with IIT Bhubaneswar, aimed at preparing graduates for careers in advanced manufacturing, automation, robotics, and AI-related fields.
Additionally, the institute launched “German language training” as part of the Skill India International Centre (SIIC) initiative to equip Indian youth for global employment prospects.
Founded under the Skill India Mission, SDI Bhubaneswar is dedicated to providing youth with relevant skills and improving employability. The Government of Odisha allocated approximately 47 acres for the permanent campus at Taraboi. Over the past five years, the institute has broadened its training framework through partnerships with government bodies, industries, and academic institutions.
In her welcome address, Rashmi Govil expressed gratitude to the Odisha Government for its unwavering support and acknowledged the contributions of Oil & Gas Public Sector Undertakings, particularly Indian Oil, in establishing SDI Bhubaneswar as a leader in quality, industry-aligned skill training.
During her speech, Chief Secretary Garg praised SDI’s initiatives aimed at empowering the youth of Odisha through effective training and placement services. She noted that a skilled workforce is crucial for the state’s future development. Addressing the state’s industrial growth, she pointed out new opportunities in sectors such as “semiconductors, mineral-based industries, green ammonia, apparel, and textiles,” emphasizing the importance of developing a workforce suited to these emerging fields.
Other speakers highlighted the necessity of fostering a cohesive skill ecosystem through collaboration between government entities, industry leaders, academia, and training institutions.
The event also included participation from students and representatives from ITIs, Polytechnics, and Engineering Colleges. Notable institutions like World Skill Center, CTTC, CIPET, C.V. Raman Global University, Centurion University, SOA University, DRIEMS University, Dadhichi Group of Institutions, Sophitorium, and Silicon University were represented.
In closing, CEO Ranjan Bhowmick thanked the Government of Odisha, Oil & Gas PSUs, Indian Oil, NSDC, industry collaborators, and academic partners for their continued support. The fifth anniversary not only celebrates the institute’s past achievements but also signals the beginning of a new phase focused on advanced, technology-driven, and globally relevant skill development.
