Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati on Thursday called upon universities across the state to adopt at least one village each as a “foster village,” identify local skills and potential, and create need-based training and entrepreneurial opportunities for rural communities.
Addressing a one-day experience-sharing programme for Vice-Chancellors of government and private universities at Centurion University in Jatni, Khordha district, the Governor said institutions of higher learning must leverage their students, faculty, and resources to map the skills available in surrounding villages and design targeted skill-development programmes.
“Training alone is not enough,” Dr. Kambhampati stressed. “Universities should help people convert their skills into sustainable livelihoods and income-generating enterprises.”
He also urged universities to spread awareness about key government schemes such as the PM MUDRA Yojana, the Chief Minister’s Kamadhenu Yojana, and the PM-Surya Ghar free electricity scheme, and to assist eligible beneficiaries in accessing these benefits. Describing the PM-Surya Ghar scheme as particularly progressive, the Governor encouraged Vice-Chancellors to take concrete steps so that more rural households can avail themselves of free solar power.
Recalling his earlier visit to Centurion University during his tenure as a Member of Parliament and his association with a parliamentary committee on skill development, Dr. Kambhampati noted that skill development would play an increasingly critical role in India’s future. He advised universities not to merely replicate Centurion’s model but to assess the unique potential, resources and skills of their own regions and design programmes tailored to local needs.
“By linking education and skills with local economic opportunities, universities can become powerful catalysts for rural transformation and help communities build lasting livelihoods,” he said.
During the programme, Vice-Chancellors shared insights from their exposure visits and presented their observations. A book titled *Adoption of Clean Energy Technologies in Rural Odisha* was also released on the occasion.
Other speakers included Higher Education, Sports & Youth Services and Odia Language, Literature & Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar; Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Skill Development & Technical Education, Bhupendra Singh Poonia; and Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Higher Education, Aravind Agrawal.
Centurion University President Professor Mukti Kanta Mishra delivered the welcome address, while Vice-Chancellor Professor Supriya Pattanayak proposed the vote of thanks.
