Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla: Odisha’s Legacy of Engineering Innovation
Introduction
Established in 1956 as the University College of Engineering, Burla, VSSUT was elevated to full university status in June 2009, becoming Odisha’s premier state-owned unitary technical university. Located near the iconic Hirakud Dam, VSSUT has evolved over nearly seven decades into a hub of excellence in engineering, architecture, technology, and research. Named after the legendary freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai, the university combines legacy infrastructure with modern innovation. (Wikipedia)
1. Establishment & Historical Background
- Founded in 1956 as Odisha’s first engineering institution, primarily to support the adjacent Hirakud Dam project with civil, mechanical, and electrical engineers. The foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. (Wikipedia)
- Originally under administrative control of Sambalpur University, then Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT). After student campaigns and government support, it became Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT) on 10 June 2009. (Wikipedia)
- Recognized under UGC Section 12(B) for central assistance in 2012. (Wikipedia)
2. Governance & Affiliations
- Type: Public unitary technical university.
- Chancellor: Governor of Odisha; Vice Chancellor (as of Feb 2025): Prof. Dipak Sahoo. (Wikipedia)
- Accredited by UGC, recognized by state government, and holds autonomy in admissions and curricula.
3. Academic Programs & Courses Offered
Undergraduate & Postgraduate Degrees
- B.Tech in disciplines such as Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, ECE, CSE, IT.
- B.Arch for architecture aspirants.
- M.Tech, M.Sc., MCA, and M.Phil across engineering and basic sciences.
- Ph.D. research available in engineering, architecture, and scientific areas. (Wikipedia)
Emerging Programs
- Integrated M.Sc., and new UG/PG offerings introduced recently.
- Admission via OJEE (state) and JEE Main (for JEE-qualified candidates).
4. Campus & Facilities
🏫 Campus Overview
- Spread over ~350 acres at Burla, located at the foothills of Hirakud Dam.
- Plans for an upcoming additional 80-acre expansion; ₹2,000 crore allocated by Odisha government for development. (VSSUT, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Academic Infrastructure
- Central Library, Computer Centre, Internet Centre, central workshops.
- Departmental labs across disciplines; high-performance computing facilities. (Wikipedia)
Residential & Recreational Facilities
- 11 hostels: Six for men, five for women; all wired for Wi-Fi.
- Recreation areas, sports courts, auditorium, conference hall. (Wikipedia)
5. Academic Excellence & Research Achievements
National & Institutional Rankings
- NIRF 2024: VSSUT ranked in the 151–200 band in both engineering and university categories. (Wikipedia)
- Ranked within top 100 STEM institutions in 2025 by Chronicles of India. (VSSUT)
Research Recognition
VSSUT students and faculty have earned national prominence with:
- AIR‑1 in BAJA‑SAE India (Design, Go‑green, CAE events, 2020).
- AIR‑1 in Enduro Student India (Dirt‑X and Endurance, 2017).
- AIR‑3 for MATLAB Innovation at ROBOCON 2018.
- Winner at India Innovation Growth Programme (IIGP 2.0), by TATA Trust & DST.
- Student rocket program in Limca Book of Records; praised by Prime Minister in Mann Ki Baat. (Wikipedia)
6. Career Development & Placement Cell
🚀 Placement Infrastructure
- Training & Placement Office oversees placements, internships, mock interviews, and career counseling. (VSSUT)
Placement Statistics (2024–25)
- Placement rate: ~75–80% of eligible students. (Collegedunia, Shiksha)
- Highest package documented: ₹17.3 LPA.
- Average package: ₹6.0 LPA (across branches); CSE/IT around ₹11–12 LPA. (Collegedunia)
Top Recruiters
- Prominent recruiters include: Amazon, Cisco, TCS, Infosys, Wipro, Maruti Suzuki, Tata Power, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, Byju’s. (Collegedunia, Shiksha)
Student Insights
- Elective branches (CSE, IT, ECE) have stronger placement, whereas core branches like EEE and Mech see more placements in off-campus drives. (Collegedunia)
7. Student Life, Culture & Campus Environment
🏫 Clubs & Technical Activities
- Vibrant tech clubs: robotics, drones, innovation cell (NIDAR), SAE Baja team, satellite development.
- Frequent tech fests, hackathons, seminars, and national competitions. Alumni frequently credited for innovation culture. (VSSUT, Reddit)
🛡️ Campus Culture & Safety
- While ragging was historically prevalent, recent student reports indicate decline: it’s now mostly verbal, and campus safety has improved. (Reddit)
In student polls:
“Ragging used to be very prevalent before COVID… now it is very low… administration taking it strictly.” (Reddit)
8. Notable Alumni & Distinguished Leadership
Distinguished Alumni
VSSUT alumni have gone on to diverse fields:
- Sujeet Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP: Holds BE (VSSUT), LLB, Oxford MBA & Harvard MPA; recipient of Skoll Scholarship. (Reddit, Wikipedia)
- Prof. Manoranjan Parida, Director at CSIR‑CRRI.
- Jagdish Mahapatra, Managing Director at McAfee India.
- Binay Kumar Das, Ex‑Director at DRDO’s ITR Chandipur.
- Nalini Kanta Pradhan, former L&T GM; first woman engineer in Odisha (1967). (VSSUT)
Academic Leadership
- Vice Chancellor: Prof. Dipak Sahoo, appointed in February 2025. (Wikipedia)
9. Reputation, Awards & Institutional Distinction
- Recognized across national evaluation frameworks like NIRF and Chronicles of India.
- Known for innovation-led student achievements, including national robotics and design accolades.
- VSSUT fosters a strong alumni network offering mentorship and career support, especially in engineering domains. (Reddit, Reddit)
- Continues building campus expansions and receiving government investment for modernization.
10. Address & Contact Details
- University Name: Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology (VSSUT)
- Location: NH‑6, Burla, Sambalpur District – Odisha, India; adjacent to Hirakud Dam. (Wikipedia)
- Campus Size: ~350 acres, expanding. (Wikipedia)
- Phone / Email: Registrar reachable via registrar@vssut.ac.in / +91‑8480441756. (VSSUT)
- Website: www.vssut.ac.in
- Vice Chancellor: Prof. Dipak Sahoo. (Wikipedia)
Conclusion
From its modest origins as Odisha’s first state engineering college, VSSUT has emerged as a cutting-edge technical university. With strong legacy infrastructure, growing research excellence, competitive placements, national acclaim in student innovation, and a broad alumni network—VSSUT has carved its niche in India’s technical education landscape.
Although geography poses challenges, students consistently highlight VSSUT’s unique culture, academic pedigree, and lifelong network. Whether one aspires for engineering innovation, research, entrepreneurship, or public service, VSSUT offers a strong platform to begin.
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