Guwahati, Feb 3 (NationPress) Emphasizing the swift evolution of society and the rise of innovative concepts, Assam's Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma remarked that advancements in technology, particularly mobile communication, have reshaped global perspectives and everyday life.

The Chief Minister noted that initiatives once deemed far-fetched, such as the establishment of several universities and a medical college in Lakhimpur, a university in Gohpur, and the under-river tunnel linking Numaligarh and Gohpur, have now been realized.

Sarma stated that the creation of new universities is geared towards fostering an academic renaissance in Assam. He urged higher education institutions to focus on innovation, stressing the importance of developing startup ecosystems and preparing students for emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. He emphasized that the youth of Assam should aspire to think forward and make significant contributions to the future.

During his visit to Lakhimpur district, Sarma inaugurated the new campus of Madhabdev University located in Narayanpur.

He described the inauguration as a significant milestone in the university's development, noting that the campus, built on 55 bighas of land at an investment of approximately Rs 57 crore, includes multiple four-story academic buildings, residential facilities for the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and faculty, a two-story guesthouse, a main entrance, and internal roads and drainage systems.

Sarma expressed optimism that this new infrastructure would considerably enhance the university's academic environment. He noted that for a state university to evolve into a center of excellence, at least 300 bighas of land is required.

Consequently, he recommended that the District Commissioner take necessary actions to expand the existing 120-bigha campus by acquiring an additional 180 bighas. He also announced a financial provision of Rs 75 crore for the second phase of Madhabdev University’s infrastructure development.

Reflecting on his initial budget as Finance Minister in 2016, Dr. Sarma mentioned that the upgrades of Hojai College into Rabindranath Thakur University, Bajali College into Bhattadev University, and Madhabdev College into Madhabdev University were announced during a period when the concept of universities beyond Gauhati and Dibrugarh seemed almost impossible.

He acknowledged that, thanks to the state government's persistent commitment to education, initiatives to establish 25 universities have been initiated, with academic programs already active in many institutions.