RESHMI YADAV, OP
Bhubaneswar: Sikshasandhan and the Dhaitari Naik Institute of Development Studies, supported by the JNU Odisha Alumni Association, hosted a panel discussion on “Transforming Higher Education through Global Models: Opportunities for Odisha” here Wednesday.
A new white paper, Reimagining Higher Education in Odisha: Towards a World-Class Knowledge Hub, released at the event, warns that Odisha could lose over five lakh students to foreign universities by 2035 if urgent measures are not taken. Experts noted that Odisha’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education stands at 22.1 per cent, below the national average of 28.4 per cent, pushing students to migrate to metros and overseas. “A robust education infrastructure will act as the backbone to spur Odisha’s economic and social growth,” said Jatindra Naik, Chairman of Sikshasandhan. The report highlighted Vedanta’s proposed Rs 15,000 crore Waterfront Education City in Puri as a potential game-changer. Designed on the lines of Boston’s Ivy League environment, it aims to host 2 lakh students and feature a multidisciplinary university, medical school, R&D hubs, sports complex, and convention spaces. “Puri offers a unique blend of cultural heritage and connectivity to nurture a thriving academic ecosystem,” said Manas Nanda, General Secretary of the JNU Odisha Alumni Association.
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Panellists agreed that such a globally benchmarked institution could help Odisha retain talent, attract international students, and align with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 and the NEP 2020. “Odisha stands at the threshold of immense opportunity, and our youth must be given the best,” said Iswar Chandra Naik of Ravenshaw University.
