Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Guwahati: Chief Secretary Ravi Kota set a new mandate for Assam universities on Friday, September 25. He demanded institution-specific growth plans. Each must include clear priorities, measurable targets, and strict timelines. Kota led the meeting with senior officials from the Higher Education Department to roll out the 28 Action Points from the 5th National Conference of Chief Secretaries. The discussion centered on transforming higher education into a robust knowledge economy.
The state wants to overhaul how campuses function. Officials reviewed goals for strengthening faculty, boosting research, and building better industry-academia links. They also pushed for skill-based learning and faster digital transformation. Universities must now create future-ready curricula while meeting National Education Policy 2020 reforms. "Universities were asked to develop institution-specific plans with clear priorities, measurable milestones and timelines," Kota said.
The state faces a gap in Gross Enrolment Ratio metrics and must widen student participation to catch up with national averages. Kota expects results beyond simple paperwork. He wants improved institutional capacity and better student outcomes. These university plans will feed into a larger state-level strategy with recurring progress reviews. While noting the sector's current expansion in infrastructure, Kota underscored a broader mission. "The larger objective is to ensure that this expansion translates into greater access, stronger academic and research capabilities, relevant skills and meaningful opportunities for our youth," he added.
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