Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan revealed plans to elevate 5,000 higher education institutions into Centres of Excellence. Speaking at a workshop, the minister underscored the pivotal role of higher education in transforming India from a consumption-based economy to a production-oriented one. The event marked the launch of the Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Higher Education Institutes, a key initiative aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Union Education Minister emphasised that these institutions are critical to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by promoting research, innovation, and multidisciplinary learning. The minister outlined his vision of making India’s youth future-ready through holistic education approaches, enhancing their skills, and fostering innovation.
The IDP is designed to provide higher education institutions with a strategic framework to set long-term goals, track progress, and implement initiatives that align with national priorities. Pradhan highlighted the need for these institutions to adopt a comprehensive approach, integrating Indian languages, encouraging entrepreneurship, and prioritising digital and financial planning.
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Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education, also stressed the importance of these institutional plans. He pointed out that the IDP would help Indian institutions compete globally by improving their quality and adaptability. The workshop featured participation from over 170 representatives of higher education institutions across India and included discussions on governance, digital innovation, and human resource development.
As part of the event, Pradhan also unveiled a comprehensive compendium of UGC regulations spanning from 1957 to 2023, streamlining decision-making and compliance for educational institutions. The Institutional Development Plan Guidelines, released earlier this year, aim to empower institutions with tools to enhance their effectiveness and align with India’s national priorities.
