Education minister urges academics to help revive Bihar’s legacy as learning hub

Patna: Education minister Sunil Kumar on Tuesday called upon the vice-chancellors and other academics to actively contribute innovative ideas and work collectively for the much-needed academic transformation of the state.

With conviction, commitment, and cooperation, the challenges obstructing higher education’s growth and education can be easily overcome, he said.Addressing a day-long workshop on “development of ‘centres of excellence’ in Bihar”, organised by the higher education department here, the minister emphasised the need for Bihar reclaiming its historic legacy as a global centre of learning. The state govt is committed to strengthening higher education institutions and developing centres of excellence through collaboration and innovative ideas.

He further said that institutions must focus on ensuring quality placements, promoting startup culture, strengthening research output, and nurturing responsible citizens. “Above all, our goal is to develop not only skilled graduates but also responsible human beings and proud citizens of the country,” he said.The workshop deliberated on strengthening the higher education ecosystem in the state and developing globally competitive academic institutions.

The workshop brought together senior policymakers, vice-chancellors, and principals from 54 selected institutions identified for developing as centres of excellence. The participants engaged in discussions on strategies to enhance academic quality, research, and institutional capacity to build world-class institutions in Bihar.Delivering the key-note address, development commissioner Mihir Kumar Singh highlighted the need for academic institutions to evolve into knowledge hubs that can drive social and economic transformation.

He stressed that universities must strengthen research capabilities, develop industry partnerships, and align with emerging technologies.Secretary to the CM, Chandrashekhar Singh, said that Bihar has made significant progress in expanding access to education and improving literacy. As envisaged under ‘Saat Nischay-3’, higher education institutions must focus on quality, research, and institutional excellence.Higher education secretary Rajiv Raushan, stressed the need to improve the quality of higher education and enhance research and academic standards in the universities across Bihar. He highlighted the importance of building a strong ecosystem for knowledge creation and innovation to stay relevant in the age of AI.Earlier, higher education director N K Agrawal, in his welcome address, emphasised the importance of inclusive and quality education in shaping the future of the state. Deputy director Deepak Kumar Singh proposed a vote of thanks.