Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated a number of infrastructure projects at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) on Sunday.

The foundation stone of the infrastructure development project of the varsity was laid along with the National Agricultural Higher Education Project (NAHEP).

The chief minister congratulated the OUAT for its achievement in the field of agricultural education, research and extension. "It is necessary for the varsity to maintain the upward trajectory and develop the university as a model at national and international level," he said.

Foundation stone of infrastructure projects such as teaching complex, College of Agriculture, Chiplima, laboratory complex, College of Horticulture, Chiplima, laboratory complex, College of Fisheries, Rangeilunda, Geo-Spatial Technology Centre, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology (CAET), Bhubaneswar, High-Tech Agri-Machine Centre, CAET, Bhubaneswar, workshop for straw chopper-cum-seeder, CAET, Bhubaneswar, godown, processing unit and threshing floor, Centre of Pulses Research, Berhampur, seed godown and processing facility, Krsihi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Bargarh and seed godown and processing facility, KVK, Deogarh were laid on this occasion.

Besides, completed infrastructure project such as model examination hall, College Of Agriculture, Bhubaneswar, Kamala Pujari Girls' Hostel, Bhubaneswar, boys' and girls' hostel at College of Agriculture, Bhawanipatna, and seed processing and store house at KVK, Bhadrak, were inaugurated.

The NAHEP project entitled "Branding the University for Excellence and Equity in Agricultural Education Producing Skill Graduates of Enhanced Employability and Entrepreneurship" has been awarded to OUAT on a competitive basis under Institutional Development Plan from amongst 75 state, central and deemed agricultural universities of the country.

"The project aims to create a student centric learning system, enhance faculty competency and make the academic governance more efficient to achieve excellence in education," said vice-chancellor Surendranath Pasupalak.

State Planning Board member Kamala Pujari spoke about her life and struggles.