Odisha to Establish India's First International University for Visually Challenged Persons

The Odisha government plans to establish the country's first international university catering to visually challenged individuals. The proposed Bhima Bhoi University will offer education, training, and vocational courses to these students. Officials have discussed the initiative with Japanese delegates aiming to enhance employment opportunities for the visually impaired.

The Odisha government is on the verge of a groundbreaking initiative to set up the first international university exclusively for visually challenged individuals in India, an official confirmed.

Bishnupada Sethi, Principal Secretary to the Department of Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD), announced the plan following discussions with a visiting Japanese delegation.

SSEPD Deputy Secretary Sanyasi Behera, also visually challenged, mentioned that the planned Bhima Bhoi University aims to address educational and training needs. The campus will offer vocational courses in fields like policy research, acupuncture, and physiotherapy, targeting students from India and abroad.

The proposal, soon to be submitted to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, aims to leverage insights from Japanese institutions like Tsukuba University, known for its vocational education programs. The initiative is crucial as India houses over 50 lakh visually challenged individuals, with 5.21 lakh residing in Odisha.

(With inputs from agencies.)