The Government of Odisha collaborated with the University of Chicago and the University of Chicago Trust in India to sign a statement of intent to advance its commitments for new research, knowledge, and capacity-building partnerships. This partnership will enable the University of Chicago’s Center in Delhi to work closely with the Government of Odisha in carrying out research, impact evaluations, and pilot project implementation in the sectors of energy and environment, health, and water & sanitation through the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC-India) and the Tata Centre for Development (TCD).
This partnership will also facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity development of personnel and institutions, and assist in the development of Odia Virtual Academy for digitization, preservation and improved access to archival material through the University of Chicago Library.
Shri Naveen Patnaik, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, during the signing of Statement of Intent, said, “The world is undergoing fast changes cutting across various fields and the changing paradigms are evident and prominently visible. The future will be driven by the knowledge and technology-centric solutions. Hence, knowledge partnerships between premier Universities and the policy makers’ in Governments across the Globe have become an important imperative. As Odisha is marching towards its Vision for the future, such collaborations will have to become an integral part of our planning process.”
As part of the partnership, EPIC-India has set up a knowledge cell wherein Bhubaneshwar-based researchers will work closely with state government officials in designing innovative energy and environment solutions. The cell that was innagurated on 3rd April, 2017 has been housed within the State Pollution Control Board, Odisha and will work with the Energy Department and Grid Corporation of Odisha on power sector distribution reforms and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board in improving environmental regulation.
The Odisha initiative is one of several that EPIC is working on in India. Professor Michael Greenstone, Director of EPIC, said, “We are already working closely with several state governments in India to conduct real-world policy experiments. In Odisha, we aim to bring our expertise in applied research on innovative policy ideas to develop mechanisms that facilitate increased energy access and reduced health and environmental problems.”