Vineet Joshi, Secretary, Higher Education, Ministry of Education, Government of India, on Sunday visited Bishnupur district and chaired a review meeting on higher education at the Conference Hall of the Mini Secretariat Complex, Bishnupur. During the meeting, college authorities highlighted key challenges faced at the collegiate level, particularly issues related to student attendance and infrastructure. It was informed that girl students constitute nearly one-third of total enrolment in most colleges; however, maintaining regular attendance remains a major concern. Principals pointed out that a large number of students come from economically weaker backgrounds, which affects their ability to attend classes regularly. To address this issue, they suggested the introduction of skill-oriented and employability-driven courses that can enable students to earn while studying and motivate them to attend college consistently. After listening to the feedback from all stakeholders, Vineet Joshi stated that such honest ground-level inputs are extremely valuable. He observed that the traditional classroom-based education system needs to be aligned with the evolving requirements of the present times. Emphasizing the need for transformation, he noted that when courses offered are relevant and practical, student engagement and attendance naturally improve.
Vineet Joshi highlighted that under the National Credit Framework notified by the UGC, credits can now be earned through sports, skill development, and other experiential learning activities. He further mentioned that the Government, through the UGC, has adopted a flexible approach to ensure that skill acquisition is integrated into higher education and converted into academic credits. He encouraged institutions to explore the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme, which provides students—particularly from economically weaker sections—with two years of internship opportunities supported jointly by the Government and private sector companies. He also urged stakeholders to think innovatively, work collaboratively, and make optimum use of initiatives such as the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme, which can benefit a large number of students. Highlighting the importance of emerging technologies, Joshi stressed the need to create awareness about Artificial Intelligence and advised the Deputy Commissioner to organise awareness programmed on AI to ensure students do not miss out on future opportunities. He also emphasized the importance of nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset and emphasized that a change in outlook must begin at the foundational level.
Deputy Commissioner Bishnupur, Pooja Elangbam, in her address, stated that the objective of the meeting was to strengthen the quality, accessibility, and relevance of higher education in the district. She described the review meeting as a valuable platform to assess achievements, identify challenges, and formulate a clear and progressive roadmap for the future. She further noted that in an era of rapid change, higher education must continuously evolve to meet emerging societal needs, technological advancements, and global standards. Through constructive discussions, data-driven reviews, and collaborative planning, the district aims to enhance academic excellence, improve infrastructure, promote research and innovation, and ensure inclusive and equitable learning opportunities for all students. The Deputy Commissioner thanked all the distinguished guests for their valuable presence and insights and informed that more such meetings with relevant stakeholders from the district will be convened to further strengthen the higher education ecosystem in the district. The meeting was also attended by N. Ashok Kumar, Commissioner (Home), N. Geoffrey, Commissioner (Higher and Technical Education), district-level officers, principals of various colleges, faculty members, and students.
