Bhubaneswar, April 28: An instrumentation centre will be established at Utkal University to serve as the central facility to carry out globally competitive research and development in science.

The centre is touted to be of great benefit to researchers and students of science departments in the university and its constituent colleges.

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik, who visited the university amid tight security today, laid the foundation stone of the centre during the annual function of the varsity's students' union. "The facility will help the faculty, research scholars and students," said Naveen.

Naveen also sanctioned Rs 15 crore for buying instruments, while the centre will be set up from central funds. He also laid the foundation stone of a convention and outreach centre, annex building of the biotechnology department, and a human resource development centre.

"We need to strive continuously towards excellence in teaching and learning. In research and in contributing effectively to the society in various walks of life," said Naveen.

The chief minister also inaugurated the centre for language studies at the university today.

"English, Odia and Sanskrit will be taught at the centre. It will facilitate interdisciplinary research," chairman of the PG council R.K. Bal said.

The students put forth their demands during the function, including immediate release of funds for setting up a second campus of the varsity. In 2015, the state government had announced setting up the varsity's rural campus at Chandikhol and Rs 70 crore was sanctioned for the purpose.

They also demanded a state-of-the-art auditorium with 2,000 seats, funds for the platinum jubilee celebration of the varsity, a rainwater harvesting project, cultural heritage park and opening courses in subjects such as sports science and environmental science.

Naveen said the government would consider their demands. A large number of students and faculty members were present on the occasion.

The varsity vice-chancellor, Ashok Das, said that it was disappointing for the university not to be ranked among best in the country. In the ranking conducted by the Union human resources ministry, Utkal University was placed in the band of 101 to 150.

"We are taking steps to improve our ranking. I believe that by next year the uni-versity will be able to figure among the country's top 100," said Das.

As Naveen visited the university today, heavy security was in place following an egg attack on his motorcade by Youth Congress workers last year.

To avoid a repeat, around 10 platoons of police were deployed in and around the varsity. The police in a preventive action detained around 50 student activists of the Congress-backed National Students' Union of India.