Bhubaneswar-based Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University was awarded the ‘Utkrisht Sansthan Vishwakarma Award’ by AICTE for raising awareness about the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to reports, the institute received the award from Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal and AICTE Chairman Prof Anil Sahasrabudhe in a virtual ceremony held in New Delhi on Thursday.
The award was bestowed after the institute conducted far-reaching awareness programmes to educate the people about the COVID-19 pandemic and methods, including social distancing and proper hygiene measures, to curb the spread of the infection in different parts of Bhubaneswar and its neighbouring villages.
Vice-Chancellor of the institute Prof (Dr) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra commented on the award saying, “Our institute has focused on various aspects to combat COVID-19. We are making efforts like COVID-19 awareness, public service etc.”
“From February onwards, we have conducted lectures, awareness programs at villages. Even our staff is actively involved in the process. They are talking about the virus to create awareness among people through electronic media,” he continued.
The institute has also contributed to the efforts of the Odisha government in battling the pandemic by operating four dedicated COVID Hospitals and two COVID Care Centres having a total of 2,200 beds.
A standalone COVID Hospital with 725 beds, the largest in the state, is being run by SOA at Bhubaneswar while it was operating three other hospitals at Chandpur, Kendrapara and Talcher.
