The Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Rourkela, held its fifth annual convocation here on Sunday with vice-chancellor JK Satpathy announcing that the decade-old varsity would set up centres for advanced post graduate studies in different disciplines to strengthen research activities.

“We must concentrate on promoting research in BPUT-affiliated institutions for bringing out the inner talent of faculty members and students,” said Satpathy.

Satpathy also sought the cooperation of the students to help in the development of the university, which has been under severe criticism for mismanagement in academic affairs, including delay in conduct of exams and declaration of results.

Governor MC Bhandare, the chancellor of the university, spoke about former chief minister late Biju Patnaik after which the university has been named.

“He was known as the architect of modern Odisha. Industrialisation was on the top of his agenda for development because he wanted optimum utilisation of mineral resources in the state,” he said.

Chandra Sekhar Verma, chairman of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) was the chief guest on the occasion.

Thirty-three students (in picture) were awarded gold medals in different subjects for 2009-10 and 2010-11 batches. Six PhD degrees were also awarded on the occasion.

Picture by Uttam Kumar Pal