Vedanta to establish science college in Orissa

Lanjigarh (Orissa), Jan 30 (PTI) Even as its proposedRs 15,000 crore university project hit roadblocks, Vedantagroup today said they will set up a state-of-the-art sciencecollege near its alumina refinery here.

"The establishment of a science college was a longpending demand of the people of western Orissa as no suchinstitution exists near Lanjigarh," Mukesh Kumar, presidentand chief operating officer of Vedanta Aluminium (VAL) saidhere.

Being set up by Vedanta in collaboration with DAVeducational group, Vedanta Science College (VSC) would startclasses from 2011-12 academic year, he said.

"The aim is to spread science education in interiorparts and improve the quality of life of the poorest of thepoor besides developing technical manpower for state''sindustrialisation," Kumar said adding Vedanta has already beenrunning a school here since 2006 in partnership with DAV.

The proposed college would be a boon to locals, mainlytribals.

"Besides getting employment, science education wouldhelp us to enhance quality of life in today''s science-orientedsociety," said Prof Arun Kumar Pujari, Vice-Chancellor ofSambalpur University.