Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Sunday, 3 May said the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a transformative reform that will be instrumental in achieving the vision of 'Viksit Odisha' by 2036 and 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, describing education as the most powerful tool for nation-building. He was addressing the National Level Workshop on Implementation of NEP 2020 and Higher Education Reforms in Odisha held in Bhubaneswar.

NEP 2020 as a National Roadmap

Governor Kambhampati said NEP 2020 provides a clear roadmap to harness India's demographic dividend and build a strong, inclusive, and future-ready education system capable of driving economic growth, social progress, and global leadership. He described the workshop as a timely and visionary initiative that reflected a collective commitment to strengthening education as the foundation of national progress and human development.

The Governor noted that India has historically been a global centre of knowledge, wisdom, and intellectual leadership, with pioneering contributions in mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and literature — a legacy he said the new policy framework seeks to reinvigorate.

Shift from Rote to Experiential Learning

Referring to rapid global changes driven by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, data science, and digital innovation, Kambhampati said the knowledge economy now demands critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, and interdisciplinary learning. In this context, he said, NEP 2020 marks a decisive shift from rote learning to experiential learning, holistic development, and multidisciplinary education aligned with 21st-century needs.

Odisha's Higher Education Reforms

The Governor highlighted that Odisha has undertaken major reforms in higher education through curriculum restructuring, promotion of skill-based learning, and measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and inclusive growth. He specifically noted the Odisha Universities (Amendment) Act and the University Teacher Cadre Reservation Act as significant legislative steps towards strengthening equity in higher education.

Emphasising skill development, entrepreneurship, and employability, Kambhampati said education should empower youth not only to seek jobs but also to innovate and create opportunities. He called for collective efforts from the government, academia, industry, and civil society for effective grassroots implementation of NEP 2020.

Outreach and Future Action Plan

Governor Kambhampati urged universities to adopt nearby villages and work towards ensuring effective implementation of welfare schemes of both the state and the Centre. He further appealed for channelising the energy and potential of students towards greater societal and national development.

Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj presented a set of recommendations and a future action plan for the implementation of NEP 2020 in Odisha during the workshop. With state-level legislative backing and a ministerial action plan now on record, the focus shifts to ground-level execution across Odisha's universities and colleges in the months ahead.