About us

NIST University, located in the serene Institute Park of Berhampur, Odisha, was established in 1996 as the state’s first NRI-funded higher education initiative, promoted by the SM Charitable Educational Trust. The Trust was founded in 1995 by Dr. Sukant K. Mohapatra and Ms. Sanjeeta Mohapatra, both NRIs based in the U.S., with a vision to bring world-class education to their home state. Dr. Sukant Mohapatra, as the founding chairman, has been a constant source of visionary leadership, guiding NIST to evolve into a premier research and academic institution. Spread across 65 acres of lush greenery in the hills of Pallur, the NIST campus is home to cutting-edge academic infrastructure, Centers of Research Excellence (CREs), Global Innovation Centers (GICs), modern hostels, a sports complex, and many other top-tier facilities. From the beginning, the goal has been to create a center of excellence in academics and research on par with international universities. Today, NIST offers a range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and Ph.D. programs across Engineering, Science, and Management disciplines. With a strong reputation for academic rigor, interdisciplinary research, and robust industry partnerships, NIST has emerged as a leader in higher education. The university boasts over 18,000 alumni who are making an impact across the world in technology, leadership, entrepreneurship, and public service. Ranked consistently by prestigious bodies like NIRF, ARIIA, and the Times, NIST continues to uphold its founding values, mission, and vision, standing tall as one of the top institutes in the state and the nation.

🔬 Research, Innovation & Industry Connect at NIST

🤝 Where Academia Meets Industry — The NIST Advantage

At NIST University, we believe in building meaningful partnerships that bridge the gap between academia and industry. Our mission is to foster an environment where students, researchers, and faculty can thrive through collaboration, innovation, and real-world exposure.

By consistently collaborating with prestigious academic institutions and industry leaders, NIST offers students world-class learning opportunities that prepare them for a global future—whether it's for higher studies, high-impact placements, or entrepreneurship.

🌍 Government & Industry-Funded Research

NIST emphasizes collaborative, cutting-edge research—funded by government bodies and top companies. These partnerships have led to:

Infrastructure upgrades in emerging tech areas

Enhanced skill development for students and faculty

Exposure to global innovation ecosystems

🎯 Funding & Support from:
DST, CSIR, AICTE, and several corporate research sponsors

🏢 Industry Partnerships & Centers of Excellence

NIST Institute Park spans over 60 acres, with 4.3 lakh sq. ft. of academic and research space, housing:

International standard research labs

Centers of Excellence (CoEs)

Dedicated industry incubation hubs

🔹 MoUs with 15 industries worth ₹6.3 Crore in 5 years
🔹 Consultancy projects worth ₹1.16 Crore
🔹 15+ research scholars involved in funded projects

🧠 Key Industry Collaborations

NIST works with leading tech and industrial partners in areas such as:

AI & Data Science

VLSI & Embedded Systems

IoT, 5G & Cybersecurity

Nanotechnology & Renewable Energy

🔹 Major Collaborators:
L&T Technology Services, Sankalp Semiconductors, SunMoksha, Sandhur, CADENCE, IBM, SAP, ARM, Texas Instruments, Wipro, National Instruments

🚀 Startups & Innovation Ecosystem @ NIST

NIST is proud to be the launchpad for multiple successful startups that began as student ventures and evolved into full-fledged enterprises:

🌟 Featured Startups

🔸 IG Drones
Building indigenous drones for agriculture, disaster management & hydrology. NIST supports control algorithm development and analytics.

🔸 Pipli Technologies
AI/ML-powered customer engagement solutions. Operates a development center on campus with exclusive student participation.

🔸 Protionix Technologies
Founded by NIST alumni, promotes STEM through robotics kits and workshops across 6 Indian states. Uses on-campus fabrication facilities.

🔸 Bariflolabs Pvt. Ltd.
An Industry 4.0 startup in aquaculture SAAS & FAAS. Supports UG/PG research and funds 4 postgraduate seats in engineering at NIST.

💼 Industry Exposure through Competitions

NIST students regularly participate in national talent hunts and contests hosted by industry giants:

InfyTQ

HackWithInfy

Wipro Talent Next

Wipro National Talent Hunt

These platforms nurture real-world problem-solving and tech innovation culture among students.

🌐 Global Academic Collaborations

NIST has cultivated a strong global academic network, enabling students and faculty to engage in international research, higher education, and exchange programs.

🏛️ Partner Institutions Include:

IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi

National Taiwan University

Academia Sinica, Taiwan

University of Electro-Communications, Japan

Brunel University, UK

Stanford University, USA

University of California at Riverside, USA

New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), USA

🎓 NJIT Collaboration: A Unique Opportunity

In 2019, NIST signed dual MoUs with NJIT:

Summer Research Programs at NJIT: Offering students international research exposure.

PhD Programs: Students can complete the first year of their doctoral studies at NIST, reducing cost and logistical barriers.

🧪 Research & Innovation Highlights

🏆 Intel DST-IUSF Award-Winning Project:
“Integrated low-cost water sensor for real-time river monitoring,” jointly funded by Intel and the Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India.

🔬 Virtual Labs Initiative (with IIT Kharagpur):
Empowering students with practical lab exposure online.

🌐 MHRD Recognized Collaborations in:

Nanotechnology

Semiconductor R&D

Communication Systems

Environmental Monitoring

🎯 Vision for the Future

NIST is actively planning new Centers of Excellence in:

Data Science

Mechatronics

Image Processing & Cryptology

Knowledge Engineering

Industrial Automation

Renewable Energy

Nano Technology

With these initiatives, NIST continues to inspire its students to think big, innovate responsibly, and become global change-makers.

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