Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today approved a proposal in this regard.
The proposed Odia chair will be part of JNU's Centre of Indian Languages, a release issued by the chief minister's office said.
The chair will have courses in Odia language, literature and culture, it said adding that the effort is part of the state government's bid to further enrich the language.
Meanwhile, Odia had been recognised as a classical language of India.