By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:The Honorable Governor of Odisha, Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, has urged universities to adopt at least one village in their region as a foster village, identify the skills and potential of the local people, and create need-based training and industrial opportunities.
The Governor said this while attending a one-day experience exchange program organized for the chancellors of government and private universities at Centurion University in Jatni, Khurda district on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Governor said that universities should use their students, faculty and resources, as well as identify the skills and potential available in the villages and prepare skill development programmes accordingly. Such initiatives should not be limited to training alone but should also focus on helping people convert their skills into livelihood and income generating enterprises, the Governor said.
The Governor also advised universities to create awareness about various government schemes and help people avail the benefits. Mentioning schemes like PM Mudra Yojana and Chief Minister Kamdhenu Yojana, the Governor said that universities can play a key role in spreading information about such schemes to the rural community and making the benefits available to the eligible beneficiaries.
Describing the PM-Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme as a progressive scheme, the Governor encouraged the Vice Chancellors to create awareness about the scheme in their respective regions and take steps to ensure that more people can benefit from it.
Recalling his tenure as an MP and his experience with the Parliamentary Committee on Skill Development, the Governor said that during that time he visited Centurion University. Even then, the Governor said that skill development would play a key role in the future.
The Governor advised the Vice Chancellors to assess the potential, resources, and capabilities of their own regions and develop programs according to local needs, rather than simply copying the Centurion University model.
Additionally, the Governor said that universities can be important catalysts for rural transformation by connecting education and skills with local economic opportunities and helping communities build sustainable livelihoods.
On this occasion, the Vice Chancellors shared their experiences from the exposure visit and gave presentations on their observations and learnings. A book titled ‘Adoption of Clean Energy Technologies in Rural Odisha’ was also released.
On this occasion, Hon’ble Minister of Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services and Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department Shri Suryavansi Suraj, Commissioner and Administrative Secretary of Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department Smt. Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner and Administrative Secretary of Skill Development and Technical Education Department Shri Bhupendra Singh Punia and Commissioner and Administrative Secretary of Higher Education Department Shri Arvind Agarwal also delivered speeches.
Centurion University President Professor Mukti Kant Mishra delivered the welcome address while Vice Chancellor Professor Supriya Patnaik proposed the vote of thanks.
