Finally, Odisha Signs MoU For Implementation Of PM-USHA Programme

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Saturday signed an MoU with Union Education Ministry for implementation of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) programme in the state.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the event at Krushi Bhawan here. State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj was also present. 

Dharmendra lauded it as a landmark day towards strengthening the higher education landscape in Odisha. “PM-USHA is an important initiative of the Centre towards implementation of the National Education Policy, 2020, and carries Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to attain higher levels of access, equity, and excellence in the state higher education system with greater efficiency, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness. While 60% of allocated grants will be released by Centre and 40% will be borne by the state,” he said.

He also mentioned about the Bonda tribe boy, who cracked NEET 2024 and secured a seat at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur. “Odisha boasts of intellectual human capital and resource and these need to be tapped. The state will now be able to develop colleges and universities with approximate Rs 500 crore to be allocated by the Centre. The PM at the Centre and CM in Odisha are committed and working to make sure that Odisha’s youth are equipped and empowered with 21st century knowledge and skills. Our target is to upskill 1 crore students of the state,” he said.

Notably, the Union Minister has been urging Odisha the implement the centrally sponsored scheme for development of higher education. He had written to the then CM Naveen Patnaik in December 2023, requesting him to sign the MoU so that Odisha does not miss out on the benefits of the scheme.

Majhi said that implementation of PM-USHA will contribute significantly in enhancing quality standards, skill development and employment generation in the higher education sector in Odisha. “The students of Odisha greatly benefit by this and lead the lead in the 21st century.”

“Both central and state governments are giving special importance to the development of education sector in Odisha. Many groundbreaking initiatives are being taken under the direct supervision of PM Narendra Modi,” he added.

THE PROGRAMME

PM-USHA scheme aims to improve the curriculum, teachers’ training, infrastructure, accreditation and employability. It focusses on ensuring equity, access and excellence in higher education in states and union territories. The amount allocated for the PM-USHA scheme for 2023-24 to 2025-26 is Rs 12,926.10 crore.

It will help varsities become multi-disciplinary education and research universities (MERU) and provide development grants to colleges and universities. Besides, the scheme has a provision for opening new model degree colleges.

PM-USHA will reach out to remote areas, LWE areas, aspirational districts, areas with low gross enrolment ratio.