Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the state has witnessed numerous innovations under the New Education Policy 2020. He encouraged universities to introduce their own innovations in higher education, as valuable experiments are always encouraged. Continuous efforts should be made to enhance the quality of education. Additionally, universities should conduct paramedical and nursing courses to expand opportunities in these essential fields.
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi views empowering capable youth as the cornerstone for building a strong nation. Reflecting this vision, the New Education Policy, spearheaded by Prime Minister Modi, incorporates numerous provisions aimed at equipping youth with knowledge and proficiency across multiple disciplines. Madhya Pradesh has implemented several innovative measures in higher education, including organizing key workshops on the Indian Traditional Knowledge in colleges and universities. The State government has also established an Indian Traditional Knowledge Apex Committee and a Task Force dedicated to advancing higher education. Students are now being provided education tailored to their interests, skills, and capabilities, placing the state at the forefront of higher education quality. Notably, Madhya Pradesh's gross enrollment ratio stands at 28.9 percent, surpassing the national ratio of 28.4 percent, marking a significant achievement.
Yadav has commended universities for offering multidisciplinary education and employment-oriented courses.
Recently, he held an in-depth discussion with Vice Chancellors and senior officials from the Higher Education Department on the current state of higher education in Madhya Pradesh. He emphasized the importance of encouraging students to explore other subjects through a multidisciplinary approach.
Presently, around one lakh students in the state have gained education in arts and science alongside commerce. Additionally, 18,000 students from the Arts background have studied commerce and science subjects, and 11,000 Science students have taken up Arts and Commerce courses. Altogether, 1.29 lakh students have benefitted from this multidisciplinary education approach in Madhya Pradesh.
The Chief Minister said that Madhya Pradesh is the leading state in the implementation of many points of the National Education Policy. The provision of study of a subject like agriculture at the graduate level in the higher education system has also achieved good results. Seven universities and 18 government autonomous colleges are offering course in B.Sc. agriculture. 1189 students are taking benefit of these courses.
A maximum of 240 students are getting an education in farming at Vikram University, Ujjain. Five universities have taken the initiative to conduct pilot training courses and certificate courses in aviation in the state. The youth will surely get full benefit from these courses in terms of employment.
Skill development is a top priority in the state's higher education sector. To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, 47 incubation centers have been established across the state. Among these, 16 are operating in government universities, 12 in private universities, and 19 in government autonomous colleges. The Union Ministry of Science and Technology has sanctioned Rs 5 crore for Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in Indore, while the Atal Innovation Mission of NITI Aayog has allocated Rs 2.5 crore to Rani Durgavati University's Incubation Center in Jabalpur for the Atal Community Innovation Centre. Additionally, Jiwaji University in Gwalior has received approval for Rs 13.4 lakh. Atal Incubation Centers have also been set up in two private universities in the state.
