Stronger academia-industry partnerships, digital transformation, and NEP 2020: the roadmap to ‘Viksit Bharat’
Guwahati, Feb 22: Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya called for stronger partnerships between universities and industries while addressing the Higher Education in Assam 2025 Conference at the Assam Administrative Staff College, Guwahati, on Saturday.
The conference, organized by Raj Bhavan in collaboration with the Department of Higher Education, brought together Vice Chancellors of public and private universities, Principals of autonomous colleges, and renowned academicians, with Education Minister Ranoj Pegu in attendance.
Acharya, who also serves as the Chancellor of Assam’s universities, emphasized that higher education is the backbone of a nation’s intellectual, scientific, and economic growth. He stressed that frequent review meetings foster accountability, transparency, and collaboration, paving the way for an efficient and future-ready education system.
Highlighting Assam’s rich educational heritage, from ancient Vedic learning centres to modern universities, the Governor urged academia to embrace innovation, digital platforms, and research-driven approaches to meet contemporary challenges.
One of the key discussions at the conference revolved around the disconnect between academic curricula and industry requirements. Governor Acharya advocated for stronger university-industry partnerships to equip students with practical skills, internships, and vocational training, ensuring better employability and economic growth.
Calling the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 a game-changer, Acharya lauded Assam’s progress in aligning with its holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary approach. He urged universities to integrate digital learning platforms like SWAYAM, implement a common academic calendar, and adopt a uniform grading system to bring consistency across institutions.
The Governor stressed that higher education must be accessible to students from all socio-economic backgrounds. He encouraged interdisciplinary studies and international tie-ups to elevate Assam’s academic standing.
Strategies such as mentorship programs, career counselling, and targeted interventions were proposed to retain students.
Acharya emphasized digital transformation for transparent data management across institutions. He called for fair and transparent resolution of academic and administrative issues.
Beyond academics, Governor Acharya underscored the importance of Swachhata (cleanliness) habits among students and urged institutions to strengthen programs like the NSS, NCC, and Scouts & Guides to instil discipline, responsibility, and patriotism.
The Governor concluded by urging educators, policymakers, and industry leaders to work collectively toward transforming Assam into a model for educational excellence. With NEP 2020 as the guiding force, he emphasized that education is the catalyst for progress, and a well-executed strategy will fast-track India’s journey toward ‘Viksit Bharat’.
The conference was attended by Advisor to Raj Bhavan Secretariat Dr. Harbansh Dixit, Higher Education Advisor Prof. Debabrata Das, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor S.S. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Higher Education Narayan Konwar, and other senior officials.
