PM conducts Bhoomi Pujan for IIPE campus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually laid the foundation stone for the greenfield permanent campus of the Indian Institute of Petroleum & Energy (IIPE) in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. Over 500 individuals, including dignitaries, government officials, and stakeholders, witnessed the ceremony via video-conferencing, heralding the dawn of a new era in energy education and research.
The groundbreaking ceremony symbolised a pivotal stride towards realising India’s energy aspirations and fostering socio-economic development. Established in 2016 under the aegis of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the IIPE embarked on a significant milestone as it initiated construction on its permanent campus.
IIPE, born in accordance with the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, and later fortified by the Indian Institute of Petroleum and Energy Act, 2017, holds the prestigious status of an Institute of National Importance. Serving as the nation’s solitary energy-centric academic institution, Prof Shalivahan, Director of IIPE, said this institution aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, situated strategically in the heart of Visakhapatnam. Its core objective lies in nurturing skilled human resources capable of addressing India’s burgeoning energy demands through comprehensive educational programmes spanning Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees.
Prof. Shalivahan, emphasised the institute’s wide-ranging research spectrum covering vital energy domains such as biofuels, hydrogen production, renewable energy, and carbon capture. Collaborations with industry giants like NTPC and HPCL underscore IIPE’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainable development.
In alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, IIPE offers a diverse array of undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD programmes, along with initiatives like the Sandwich Ph.D. programme and Global Student Internship Programme, enhancing academic excellence and global exposure.
Prof. Shalivahan further highlighted IIPE’s holistic approach encompassing environmental conservation and community engagement. Through initiatives like beach adoption and student-faculty connect programs, the institute strives to instill a culture of scientific inquiry and environmental stewardship among future generations.  The sprawling campus, covering 201.80 acres and valued at Rs 855 crore, will have state-of-the-art infrastructure including research laboratories and academic facilities, spearheaded by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).