The grant will help modernise the university and college infrastructure, and increase the quality of teaching and learning.
Human resources play an important role in the growth of a country. More the country invests in developing its human resources, more will be its economic growth. For a country, such as India, with 1.25 billion population, development of human resources is critical for its growth. Though the country has several educational establishments—IITs, IIMs, NITs and other institutes for higher education— it lacks enough good institutes to accommodate its youth.
To improve the quality of higher education in the state of Odisha, the World Bank has signed a loan agreement of $119 million with the Odisha Higher Education Programme for Excellence & Equity (OHEPEE) Project in New Delhi. The loan amount will be used to improve the quality of education in the state and make students job ready.
As per the agreement, NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) accredited government colleges, as well as government-aided and block grant colleges can apply for grants. All they need to do is submit an Institutional Development Plan (IDP), which will be evaluated by the officials and academicians from the state as well as from outside.
The grant will help colleges achieve autonomous status, improve the examination system, establish support centres in tribal populated districts and help modernise university and college infrastructure.
The faculty in theses colleges will be trained in the latest teaching styles and skills at the state level. This will help improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Union Joint Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Sameer Kumar Khare said, “Since promoting education in every sphere is a priority for the Government, this project seeks to provide that opportunity for young people in Odisha.” He further added, “Students and young people from all backgrounds, including scheduled tribes and other disadvantaged groups, will have access to quality higher education”.
In the first round, around 70 colleges and six state universities have been selected, based on the IDP submitted for the grant. Next year, 70 more such institutes will be selected for the same.