Bhubaneswar: Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj on Friday reviewed the functioning of public universities in Odisha and directed them to expedite recruitment against vacant teaching and non-teaching posts.
The minister held a high-level meeting with vice-chancellors, registrars and chairpersons of postgraduate councils of all government universities at the Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre here.
During the meeting, Suraj discussed with vice-chancellors the steps required to speed up the recruitment process, including the formation of subject-wise selection committees.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for implementing the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 in the higher education sector, including the development and rollout of new curricula.
Officials and university authorities discussed expanding internship opportunities for undergraduate students and providing apprenticeship opportunities under the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP). The minister also called for extending AEDP to more courses in the coming days.
Emphasis was laid on promoting quality research, establishing and effectively operating Centres of Excellence, and strengthening the startup ecosystem across universities.
Suraj also stressed the need to equip professors, teachers and students with skills in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and incorporate AI-related courses into university curricula. He called for integrating the Indian Knowledge System with contemporary academic programmes.
The minister further advised universities to ensure that PhD scholars undertake high-quality research on emerging and contemporary subjects.
The meeting reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in universities and colleges. Discussions were also held on the implementation of the Shakti Shree scheme for the empowerment of girl students, functioning of Internal Committees, constitution of university Senates and regular conduct of Senate meetings.
Suraj said strengthening academic infrastructure, prioritising quality education and ensuring an inclusive higher education system remain key priorities of the state government.
Higher Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Aravind Agrawal, Additional Secretary Sangram Shekhar Panda, Dharanidhar Nanda, Pratibha Sahu and other senior officials attended the meeting.
