Implementation Call for Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in Odisha

Introduction

• The recent appeal from the Union Education Minister to the Odisha Chief Minister highlights the need to introduce the PM-USHA scheme for advancing higher education within the state.

Overview of Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA):

• Launched in 2013, PM-USHA stands as a centrally sponsored initiative focused on enhancing accessibility, equity, and quality in higher education. Its primary objective revolves around methodically advancing higher education at the state level, particularly through collaboration with over 300 state universities and their affiliated colleges.

Objectives:

• The scheme targets multifaceted objectives, encompassing the establishment of new academic institutions, amplification and enhancement of existing ones, and the cultivation of self-reliant educational establishments. This self-reliance is envisioned in terms of delivering quality education, professional administration, and a heightened dedication to research.

Funding Framework:

• PM-USHA operates with a strategic funding approach for eligible state higher educational institutions. Central funding, contingent on predetermined criteria and outcomes, flows from the central ministry through state governments/union territories before reaching the designated institutions.
• The disbursement of funds to states is contingent upon a meticulous assessment of their State Higher Education Plans. These plans outline the distinct strategies each state aims to employ to address concerns related to equitable access and excellence in higher education.

Emphasis on Quality Enhancement:

• A core focus of PM-USHA lies in elevating the quality of teaching and learning processes. This drive intends to produce graduates, postgraduates, and PhD holders who are not only employable but also competitive. Drawing upon exemplary practices from colleges and universities nationwide, the program concentrates on state higher educational institutions to catalyze comprehensive improvement.

Conclusion:

• The invocation to implement the PM-USHA scheme in Odisha underscores the larger commitment to elevate higher education standards, aligning with the scheme’s central goals of accessibility, equity, and quality enhancement within the state.