The Odisha Higher Education Department conducted a crucial sensitisation workshop on the Odisha Vision Document 2036 and 2047, themed “Vikshit Odisha for Vikshit Bharat,” targeting Vice Chancellors of state universities, Principals of colleges, and Regional Directors of Education.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj attended as the chief guest, underscoring the transformative role of higher education in achieving the state’s ambitious development goals.
In his address, Minister Suraj emphasised that higher education institutions are central to the success of Vikshit Odisha 2036 and Vikshit Bharat 2047. He outlined four key parameters from the Vision Document that will shape future reforms in the sector:
- Achieving a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50% by 2036, rising to 60% by 2047.
- Promoting gender parity and greater inclusion of students from socially and economically backward sections.
- Enhancing graduate employability through skill-focused education.
- Establishing two higher education institutions in every block, at least one Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) in each district by 2047, and ensuring two Odisha institutions rank among the world’s top 500 universities by 2036.
The Minister called for coordinated and focused efforts from all stakeholders to drive inclusive growth, stating, “These parameters will guide our reforms, and the academic community will play a decisive role in realising the vision of Vikshit Odisha 2036 and Vikshit Bharat 2047.”
Highlighting inclusive measures, Minister Suraj noted the provision of 11.25% reservation for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes (SEBC) students in higher education admissions. He also announced that the Cabinet has approved the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2025, to implement a uniform reservation policy for teacher recruitment across all state public universities.
Additionally, the Minister referenced the Videsh Sikhshya Bruti Scheme, which offers scholarships of up to Rs 50 lakh over two years for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students from families with annual income below Rs 12 lakh to pursue advanced studies abroad.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, he declared, “Education for all and higher education for all is our goal.”
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Arvind Agrawal, provided a comprehensive overview of departmental initiatives and strategies to meet the Vision Document’s targets. The programme featured a welcome address by Additional Secretary Dharanidhar Nanda and was conducted by Additional Secretary Dhirendra Nath Kar.
The workshop marks a significant step in aligning Odisha’s higher education ecosystem with long-term national and state development objectives, fostering collaboration among academic leaders to build a more equitable and world-class education framework.
