CUO Forges Partnership with Four Central Universities to Advance Tribal Research and Higher Education

A Landmark MoU to Drive Multidisciplinary Learning and Tribal Empowerment under NEP 2020

In a transformative step toward realising the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Central University of Odisha (CUO) signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with four prominent Central Universities on Monday at its Sunabeda campus in Koraput.

The collaborating institutions include the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad; Central Tribal University of Andhra Pradesh (CTUAP), Vizianagaram; Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Amarkantak; and Sammakka Sarakka Central Tribal University (SSCTU), Telangana.

The MoU, signed in the presence of distinguished academic leaders, aims to foster academic collaboration, resource sharing, and innovative research, with a special focus on tribal studies, regional development, and socio-economic transformation. The ceremony was graced by Prof. N. Nagaraju, Vice-Chancellor of EFLU; Prof. Y. L. Srinivas, Vice-Chancellor of SSCTU; Prof. T. Srinivasan, Vice-Chancellor (I/c) of CTUAP; Prof. Soubhagya Ranjan Padhi, Professor at IGNTU; and Prof. Narasingha Charan Panda, Vice-Chancellor (I/c) of CUO.

Dr. Sourav Gupta, Convener of the MoU Committee and Associate Professor in Journalism and Mass Communication at CUO, welcomed the dignitaries and highlighted tribal studies as the cornerstone of this collaboration. The MoU outlines key objectives, including promoting multidisciplinary learning, encouraging faculty and student exchanges, supporting credit transfers, and fostering joint research projects. It also emphasizes digital education, Indian knowledge systems, entrepreneurship, and sustainable regional development to empower tribal communities and increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER).

Prof. N. Nagaraju underscored the pivotal role of faculty in translating the MoU into impactful academic outcomes, describing tribal research as a “potent and promising” field. Prof. T. Srinivasan called the agreement a “momentous occasion,” advocating for a shift from educating tribal communities to learning from their rich knowledge systems. Prof. Y. L. Srinivas shared that SSCTU has already established a tribal centre and is engaged in a funded nine-month collaborative research project, reinforcing the MoU’s potential. Prof. S. R. Padhi highlighted the vast research opportunities in tribal regions like Amarkantak, aligning with NEP 2020’s vision.

In his presidential address, Prof. N. C. Panda revealed that the MoU was inspired by discussions during Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan’s visit to CUO in July 2025. He expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to drive research and policy-making for tribal socio-economic upliftment. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Rakesh Kr Lenka, Registrar (I/c) of CUO. The MoU is set to remain in effect for five years, with provisions for renewal.

Prominent CUO faculty members, including Prof. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar, Dr. Kapila Khemundu, Dr. Ramendra Kumar Parhi, Dr. Sanjay Pradhan, Dr. Manjushree Singh, Dr. B. K. Srinivas, Dr. Nirjharini Tripathy, Dr. Ashok Kumar Erigala, Dr. Phagunath Bhoi, and Dr. Nupur Pattanaik, attended the event, marking a significant milestone in CUO’s journey toward academic excellence and tribal empowerment.