Odisha govt collaborates with University of Chicago to set up data, policy, innovation centre
Chicago Trust, India, to set up a data, policy, and innovation centre
(DPIC) in Bhubaneswar that will enable rigorous, evidence-based
governance while using new advances in econometrics, data science, and
machine learning.
The MoU was signed between CEO of
Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC) Manoj Kumar Pattnaik and
executive director of University of Chicago Center, India, Leni
Chaudhari here in the presence of IT Minister Tusharkanti Behera.
The
scope of this programmatic partnership will involve researchers from
the University of Chicago providing data analysis and evaluation
assistance to the government of Odisha schemes and policies to benefit
the state districts and blocks.
Talking about the collaboration,
Pattnaik said, “We are excited to work with the researchers at EPIC
India and it will help lead Odisha to become a leading data Center hub.
Using evidence-based research, we hope the DPIC will act as a Center of
excellence for collecting big data from many sources, analysing that
data using contemporary econometric and statistical models, and
producing the necessary creative policy guides.”
Under this
partnership, researchers from the University of Chicago will aid the
government of Odisha in conducting research, monitoring, impact
evaluation, and project implementation in the energy and environment,
health, education, agriculture, and water & sanitation sectors.
Along
with that, the partnership will also entail capacity development of
personnel and institutions for creating a hub for modern data analysis
and knowledge sharing, he said.
Outlining the different contours
of DPIC with its technical and application possibilities, Anant
Sudarshan, senior fellow at the Energy Policy Institute at the
University of Chicago, said, “To enable rigorous, evidence-based
governance under the program, we have outlined a three-pronged strategy
that would include creating a hub for modern data analysis, field pilots
using randomized control trials and training and capacity building.”.
Chaudhari
said they have previously joined the state government in rolling out
the star rating programme for industries, and now this new partnership
will help source big data efficiently and design innovative energy and
environment solutions.
“We aim to bring our expertise in applied
research on innovative policy ideas to develop mechanisms that
facilitate increased energy access and reduced health and environmental
problems,” Chaudhari said.