Odisha Holds Capacity Building Workshop for College Principals to Strengthen Academic Leadership

Bhubaneswar: A week-long Capacity Building and Leadership Development Workshop for Principals and senior faculty members of Government Colleges concluded today at the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB). The programme, jointly organised by the Higher Education Department, Odisha State Higher Education Council, and XIMB, aimed to strengthen academic leadership and institutional governance in higher education across the State.

Held from October 27 to November 1, the workshop brought together participants from 36 Government Colleges across Odisha. The sessions focused on a wide range of themes, including the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, institutional governance, financial management, pedagogical innovation, skill-based evaluation, digital learning, and quality research — all critical for transforming Odisha’s higher education landscape.

Addressing the valedictory session as Chief Guest, Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj highlighted the importance of visionary leadership in higher education.
“Building a world-class educational ecosystem and ensuring a bright future for our students is our collective mission,” he said. “To achieve this, we are emphasizing quality education, skill development, innovative research, and strengthening academic institutions across the State.”

The Minister described colleges and universities as the “true nurseries of nation-building,” urging Vice-Chancellors, Principals, and faculty to lead the transformation of higher education through dedication and foresight.

Outlining the State Government’s initiatives, Suraj said, “Odisha has implemented several transformative measures such as the adoption of NEP 2020, the launch of the PM-USHA scheme, establishment of new Government Degree Colleges in remote areas, and initiatives like Shaktishri to promote a safe, inclusive, and equitable academic environment.”

He further noted that leadership development programmes like this workshop are crucial in empowering institutional heads to drive excellence in administration and academics.

The valedictory session was graced by Dharanidhar Nanda, Additional Secretary, Higher Education Department; Pratibha Sahu, Additional Secretary; S. Anthony, Registrar, XIMB; and Prof. Dr. S. S. Ganesh, Associate Dean, XIMB.