New Delhi: As part of the preparatory activities for the upcoming 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries, the Department of Higher Education, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), organised a National Workshop for States and Union Territories on the sub-theme “Higher Education: Knowledge Economy.” The workshop was held at Pragyan Auditorium, AICTE Headquarters, New Delhi, in alignment with the larger theme of the Conference — “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat.”
Workshop Objective and Context
The workshop aimed to engage States and UTs in shaping education systems aligned with India’s long-term developmental goals. A Concept Note prepared by the Department of Higher Education and DARE had earlier been circulated to States/UTs outlining the key areas of reform and expectations. The event focused on enhancing cooperation across the centre and state levels to build a knowledge-driven economy powered by a future-ready workforce.
Inaugural Address and Key Messages
Dr. Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education, opened the workshop by underlining the critical role of States/UTs in India’s transformation. Urging States to contextualize policies based on local needs and to share replicable best practices, he remarked:
“If States improve, Bharat improves.”
He also encouraged grassroot consultations and advocated for treating the Concept Note as a transformative policy guide rather than a mere compliance document.
Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary, DARE, stressed on the urgent need to reimagine agricultural education by incorporating emerging domains like AI, ML, and behavioural sciences into curriculum design. He called for synergistic partnerships between Agricultural Universities, IITs, and other HEIs to tackle the agri-value chain challenges.
Thought Leaders Call for Education Reforms
Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Former UGC Chairman, highlighted NEP 2020’s paradigm shift towards interdisciplinary learning and flexibility. He lauded initiatives such as NCrF (National Credit Framework) and NHEQF (National Higher Education Qualifications Framework) for their ability to promote academic curiosity and innovation.
Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, emphasized the goal of transforming India into a product-developing economy, rooted in technological education and innovation. He spotlighted initiatives like:
-
Smart India Hackathon
-
AICTE Internship Portal
-
E-Kumbh Portal (providing multi-language textbooks)
Thematic Sessions: Bridging Policy to Practice
1. Internationalisation & Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)
Shri B. Venugopal Reddy, Addl. Chief Secretary, Maharashtra, elaborated on the EduCity project in Navi Mumbai and plans for offshore campuses. Prof. R.D. Kulkarni (VC, Mumbai University) stressed IKS integration into curricula.
2. Reversing Brain Drain
Dr. Sunil Pareek (NIFTEM, Haryana) proposed ‘Brain Gain Sabbaticals’ as a way to reconnect global Indian talent with domestic institutions.
3. Upgrading State Public Universities
Prof. Sangeeta Shukla (VC, CCS University, UP) advocated equitable funding, infrastructure expansion, and bridging faculty gaps to elevate State Public Universities (SPUs) to global standards.
4. Tech-Ready Human Resources
Dr. Shobha G (Director, Dept. of Collegiate Education, Karnataka) presented Nipuna Karnataka, a Learning Management System supporting over 4 lakh students, as a model for scaling tech-based education.
Next Steps for States/UTs
States and UTs are required to:
-
Upload officer-level feedback on the designated portal by 20 August 2025
-
Submit state-specific position papers by 31 August 2025
These will serve as vital inputs for the Background Note on “Higher Education: Knowledge Economy”, to be presented at the 5th National Chief Secretaries’ Conference, shaping national strategies and aligning with the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047.
Conclusion
The workshop served as a collaborative think-tank platform, uniting central ministries, higher education institutions, and state governments in envisioning a knowledge-based, future-ready India. The insights and outcomes of this workshop will form a crucial cornerstone in the broader policy discourse aimed at strengthening human capital for India’s long-term transformation.
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
For more real-time updates, visit Channel 6 Network.
