Odisha has set a target of having two universities among the world’s top 500 universities by 2036.
Odisha: The Higher Education Department today organized an awareness workshop on the Odisha Vision Document 2036 and 2047 (Developed Odisha for Developed India) for Vice-Chancellors of state universities, college principals, and regional directors of education.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended the event, held in the capital, as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the crucial role of higher education institutions in achieving the goals of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047.
Government identifies 4 key parameters for the development of higher education
The Minister stated that the Odisha Vision Document has identified four key parameters for the development of higher education in the state. These include ensuring a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 50 percent by 2036 and 60 percent by 2047, promoting gender equality and inclusion of students from backward classes, enhancing the employability of graduates, establishing two higher education institutions in every block and at least one multidisciplinary education and research university in every district by 2047, and ensuring that two institutions from Odisha are among the top 500 universities in the world by 2036.
Emphasizing that these four parameters will guide future reforms, the Minister said that focused and coordinated efforts by all higher education institutions are essential to achieve inclusive development in this sector.
Highlighting inclusive initiatives, the Minister said that 11.25 percent reservation has been provided for SEBC students in admissions to higher education institutions. He also informed that the Cabinet has approved the proposal to introduce the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2025, which aims to establish a uniform reservation framework for direct recruitment of teachers in all state public universities of Odisha. Higher education for all is our goal, the minister said.
The minister also mentioned the overseas education scholarship scheme, under which Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students whose families have an annual income of less than Rs 12 lakh are eligible for scholarships of up to Rs 50 lakh over two years to pursue higher education abroad. Reiterating the government’s vision, the minister said, “Higher education for all is our goal. The academic community will play a crucial role in realizing the vision of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047.”
Arvind Agarwal, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, presented a detailed overview of the initiatives undertaken by the department and guided the Vice-Chancellors and Principals on strategies to achieve the higher education goals outlined in the vision document.
