Sambalpur: An MoU for the World Bank-assisted programme Odisha Higher Education Programme for Excellence and Equity has been signed between Sambalpur University and the state's higher education department.

Registrar Surjya Thankppan represented Sambalpur University while higher education department additional chief secretary Parameswaram signed on behalf of the government.

According to the MoU, funds amounting to Rs 27.70 crore would be made available to Sambalpur University over five years.

Of this, Rs 11.08 crore would be utilised through the Resource Support Centre towards strengthening their affiliated colleges in imparting faculty training, improving NAAC accreditation, revising curriculum, reforming the examination system and finance management system.

Another Rs 5 crore would be spent on two centres for excellence - Centre for Natural Products and Therapeutics (Re 4 crore) and Centre for Regional Development Studies (Rs 1 crore).

Of the remaining Rs 11.62 crore, Rs 6 crore would be utilised for civil works and Rs 5.62 crore for non-civil work such as purchase of furniture, equipment and academic software packages.