New Delhi, June 9: A delegation led by Tripura’s Higher Education Minister, Kishor Barman, along with senior officials of the Higher Education Department, met Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and senior officials of the Ministry of Education to discuss a range of issues aimed at strengthening and expanding higher education in Tripura.
During the meeting, the Tripura delegation highlighted the need to resolve affiliation-related issues concerning newly established Government General Degree Colleges under Maharaja Bir Bikram University. The matter was raised to ensure smooth academic administration and improve access to quality higher education across the state.
The delegation also requested the nomination of a representative from the Ministry of Education to be included in the Search Committee for the appointment of the Chairman of the State Higher Education Council, in accordance with relevant statutory provisions and guidelines.
A key focus of the discussions was the introduction and expansion of skill and vocational courses in Government Degree Colleges in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur. The initiative is intended to enhance students’ employability, industry readiness, and skill development in line with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020.
Minister Kishor Barman also raised the issue of appointing a regular Vice-Chancellor for Tripura University, emphasizing the need for expediting the process to ensure effective academic leadership and institutional growth. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan assured the delegation that the appointment process would be completed soon.
The delegation further sought special financial assistance from the Government of India for the development of two new government universities and four new Government General Degree Colleges in Tripura. The proposed support is expected to strengthen educational infrastructure, improve access to higher education, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the state.
The Union Education Minister appreciated the initiatives undertaken by the Government of Tripura to strengthen higher education and assured the delegation that the issues raised would receive due attention.
During the discussions, Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the need for preparing a human development map to identify skill gaps across higher educational institutions in Tripura. He also stressed the importance of introducing new courses in central institutions aligned with the state’s economic growth priorities and promoting inclusive education to achieve a Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of 50 percent by 2035. Such measures, he noted, would help reduce the outflow of students to other states.
In line with the Tripura Government’s vision of transforming the state into an educational hub, the Union Minister directed his office to constitute a high-level committee to prepare a comprehensive roadmap and vision document for higher education in Tripura. The proposed exercise will assess future demand for new courses, institutional expansion, and infrastructure requirements, contributing to the broader vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
He also underscored the importance of inclusive education policies aimed at encouraging Indigenous students to pursue higher education and research.
The meeting concluded on a positive note, reflecting the shared commitment of both the Central and State Governments towards advancing higher education, skill development, and expanding educational opportunities for the youth of Tripura.
