Bhopal: In a significant push towards employment-centric education, Governor Mangubhai Patel emphasized the need for universities to design curricula tailored to local employment opportunities. Speaking at the National Workshop on “Employment Based Education—Trends and New Opportunities,” organized by the Higher Education Department of Madhya Pradesh @2047, the Governor appreciated the state government’s initiative to attract both domestic and international investments and urged educational institutions to prepare skilled candidates to meet the demands of new industries.
Skill Development as the New Currency: Insights from Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav
Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav highlighted that in today’s world, skill has become the true currency. “India understands this well, and Madhya Pradesh is moving towards skill development through innovative measures,” he said. The Chief Minister noted that Madhya Pradesh, with its strong agricultural base, is integrating agricultural studies into regular college curricula. “Youth aspiring for a career in agriculture must be equipped with modern technology knowledge,” he added, stressing that universities must broaden their scope and offer courses that cater to evolving sectors like IT and agriculture.
Workshop Highlights: Education for Self-Reliance and Employment
Governor Patel described the workshop as “the need of the hour” and a “strong platform for future preparation.” He stressed that education is the backbone of society and must evolve to empower individuals with self-reliance while providing easy access to employment opportunities. Both the Governor and Chief Minister underlined the importance of revising education to match current and future industrial needs, ensuring that the youth are ready as soon as new investment projects commence.
Revamping Education Policy for the Modern Era
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav reflected on the historical evolution of India’s National Education Policy (NEP), noting that the current NEP—developed under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s guidance—is a transformative step beyond colonial-era education systems. He praised national icons like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Mahatma Gandhi for their visionary contributions to India’s socio-cultural and educational foundations.
He also lauded Madhya Pradesh’s rich educational heritage, referring to ancient centers like Takshila, Nalanda, and Vikramshila, and remarked on the state’s role in India’s educational tradition, citing Lord Krishna’s education at Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain.
Modernizing Higher Education: Focus on Emerging Technologies
The Chief Minister announced that Madhya Pradesh now has over 70 universities, including government and private institutions. The government is actively implementing the NEP in more than 10,000 educational institutions and has launched over 220 Sandipani schools with modern computer coding labs.
Courses in cutting-edge fields such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Biotechnology are being introduced to prepare students for future challenges beyond just acquiring degrees.
Emphasis on Agriculture and Livestock Education
Highlighting the state’s position as the third-largest milk producer in India, Dr. Yadav spoke about government plans to further boost milk production and livestock development by increasing the number of veterinary colleges. The state also aims to expand irrigation and fish production, underscoring the government’s commitment to agricultural and allied sectors.
Education with Values: Minister Inder Singh Parmar’s Perspective
Higher Education Minister Inder Singh Parmar emphasized the importance of blending education with values to create responsible citizens. He expressed confidence that Madhya Pradesh’s new education policies and accountability initiatives would set benchmarks nationwide.
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Inauguration and Expert Insights
The workshop commenced with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Governor Patel and Chief Minister Dr. Yadav. Governor Patel was felicitated with traditional gifts by Additional Chief Secretary of Higher Education Anupam Rajan. Subject experts Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi, Member Secretary of IGNCA, and Dr. A.C. Pandey, Director of IEUAC, shared their perspectives during the event. The welcome address was delivered by Anupam Rajan, and the Chairman of Madhya Pradesh Private University Regulatory Commission, Prof. Bharat Sharan Singh, expressed gratitude for the initiative.