BHUBANESWAR: The capital city of Bhubaneswar has emerged as an education hub in eastern India. National institutes like IIT, AIIMS, NISER, NIFT, and several private universities in the city have been attracting students from across India and outside. In a changed scenario post-covid when students prefer local institutes, the city has become a preferred destination for students for higher education in India.

The main reason for Bhubaneswar attracting a large number of students across India is that the city is dotted with numerous educational institutes of prominence by the Centre, state and also privately run. There are eight universities in the city, which offer a wide range of courses in general, professional, and technical streams.

Educationist and vice chairman of the Odisha Higher Education Council, Ashok Das said “Bhubaneswar is special due to its ambience both in terms of academics and good living. Odias as hosts are incomparable. But the best aspect is the academic spectrum in terms of affordability, national rankings, multidisciplinary, depth and breadth of research cum teaching institutions, health care and decent institutional accommodation. Where in India you have all these with Lord Lingaraj and Lord Jagannath to give solace.”

In the post-covid scenario when students prefer local institutes instead of going abroad, the higher education scene has become more attractive.

With the prestigious central institutes like AIIMS, IIT, NISER, NIFT and premier state universities like Utkal University, OUAT, many private universities and institutes like Siksha O Anusandhan Deemed to be University, KIIT Deemed to be University, Xavier University Bhubaneswar, Birla Global University, Sri Sri University have been attracting students for research opportunities, international faculties, and lucrative infrastructure. “The massive onslaught of the Covid pandemic over the last two years has drastically changed the scenario with parents reluctant to allow their children to go to distant cities. The waves of the Corona virus that hit the state repeatedly has made most students to look for seats in academic institutions in Bhubaneswar leading to a stiff competition for admission in our university, which is ranked at the top in Odisha and positioned 20th in the country in the NIRF ranking,” said Jyoti Ranjan Das, dean Students’ Welfare, Siksha O Anusandhan Deemed to be University.

Apart from leading educational institutes, Odisha is the 4th liveable cities in India as per the Ease of Living Index report- 2020- 21, which is a performance indicator for cities regarding quality of life of residents, economic stability, and self-assurance of the city among other parameters.

“Bhubaneswar conceives the ethos of the country for being calm quiet, peaceful with high potentials of learning infrastructures in the institutions, faculties and openness to accept diverse culture and people,” vice chancellor KIIT Deemed to be University, Prof Sasmita Samanta.

Another major reason for Bhubaneswar attracting students is the favourable weather conditions throughout the year. Though summer is a bit harsh, nights are windy and cool. “The grand surroundings of colleges, the aesthetically designed buildings, so many weekend getaway destinations and healthy, and nutritious cuisine are also the reasons for students from across the country to Bhubaneswar,” said Ankita Saha, a student from Rajasthan.