Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha on Thursday said Tripura University has the potential to emerge as a centre of excellence in higher education and research in the Northeast, stressing the need to connect academic knowledge with societal needs.
Addressing the 40th Foundation Day celebration of Tripura University, Dr. Saha said Tripura’s rich cultural heritage, diverse communities, indigenous knowledge systems, biodiversity and unique ecological setting offer vast opportunities for research in areas including indigenous knowledge, climate resilience, sustainable development, culture, heritage and the history of the Northeast.
He called for stronger industry-academia collaboration, interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship, innovation and national and international academic partnerships.
“Expanding institutions is not enough. We must ensure that students receive the support they need to fulfil their aspirations,” the Chief Minister said, highlighting government initiatives in higher education.
Since 2018, seven new government degree colleges have been established across the state, including institutions at Old Agartala, Panisagar, Ambassa, Kakraban and Korbook, along with Nalchar Government Women’s Degree College and Sri Aurobindo General Degree College.
Dr. Saha said four new private universities had also been approved through legislation, while existing institutions were diversifying the state’s higher education landscape. He said 20 Divyangjan students received special scholarship assistance during the last year under the Chief Minister’s Special Scholarship for Divyangjan scheme. The Lakshya scheme and Chief Minister’s Special Scholarship for All India Competitive Examinations are also supporting students.
The Chief Minister said Tripura has implemented the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in colleges and universities from the 2023-24 academic session, focusing on multidisciplinary education, flexibility, skills and innovation.
He said infrastructure projects were underway at MBB College, Netaji Subhash Mahavidyalaya in Udaipur, Tripura Institute of Technology and National Law University, Narsingarh, with new classrooms, laboratories, smart classrooms and hostels being developed.
“Education must build knowledge, skill and character,” Dr. Saha said, urging students to become responsible citizens and use their education for the development of Tripura and India.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, Chancellor Ahmed Javed and Vice-Chancellor Prof. Debabrata Das were present.
