Bhubaneswar, Odisha: A six-day Capacity Building and Leadership Development Workshop for Principals and senior faculty members of Government Colleges concluded at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB). The event was jointly organized by the Higher Education Department, Odisha State Higher Education Council, and XIMB. It marked a significant step toward strengthening academic governance in the State.
The workshop brought together academic leaders from 36 Government Colleges across Odisha. It focused on a wide range of topics, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Other topics were institutional governance, financial management, pedagogical reforms, digital innovation, and research excellence. Moreover, participants engaged in interactive sessions aimed at enhancing leadership and decision-making skills.
Addressing the valedictory session, Higher Education Minister Shri Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized that academic leadership in higher education must serve as the foundation for transforming institutions.
“Building a world-class educational ecosystem is our collective responsibility,” he noted. Furthermore, he underlined the importance of skill development, quality research, and visionary leadership to prepare students for global challenges.
In addition, the Minister described colleges and universities as the “true nurseries of nation-building.” He urged Principals and faculty to lead with innovation and empathy.
He also highlighted Odisha’s key reforms, such as implementing NEP-2020 and launching the PM-USHA Scheme. Other initiatives include expanding Government Degree Colleges in remote regions and ensuring inclusive education through initiatives like Shaktishri.
Meanwhile, Additional Secretary Shri Dharanidhar Nanda, Smt. Pratibha Sahu, S. Anthony, and Prof. Dr. S. S. Ganesh from XIMB shared valuable insights during the session. They emphasized that such leadership workshops are vital for improving governance, fostering innovation, and promoting excellence across institutions.
Ultimately, Odisha’s Higher Education Department reaffirmed its commitment to nurturing academic leadership in higher education. The goal is to create inclusive, future-ready, and globally competitive learning.
