Bhubaneswar: Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Saturday urged universities to play a transformative role in shaping the future of higher education and contributing to the vision of a self-reliant India during a conference of Vice-Chancellors of State Public and Private Universities in Odisha.
Welcoming participants to the conference in Bhubaneswar, the Governor said that as Chancellor of the state’s public universities, he viewed the gathering not merely as an administrative exercise but as a collective effort to strengthen higher education and foster academic excellence.
Emphasising the importance of universities as centres of knowledge, innovation and leadership, he expressed satisfaction at the participation of stakeholders committed to advancing education and nation building.
Referring to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Dr. Kambhampati said the initiative extends beyond economic self-sufficiency and represents a broader national mission encompassing knowledge, innovation, technology, manufacturing, healthcare, energy and education.
He stressed that universities must become active partners in this transformation by preparing students not only to seek employment opportunities but also to create them through innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership.
The Governor further urged higher educational institutions to remain responsive to changing global and societal needs and to nurture skilled, ethical, enlightened and socially conscious individuals capable of contributing meaningfully to the country’s development.
The conference brought together Vice-Chancellors and academic leaders from universities across Odisha to deliberate on key issues relating to higher education, institutional development, research and the future direction of the state’s academic ecosystem.
