Guwahati : Nearly one lakh students of Assam get the way forward for free higher education under the government’s policy as State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma disbursed Rs 68.44 crore to 349 institutions under phase-1 of Pragyan Bharati scheme at Janata Bhawan in Dispur recently. Launched in the year 2016-17, the unique scheme has benefited 22,30,257 students till 2023-24. Speaking on the occasion, Sarma revealed that Pragyan Bharati scheme was started eight years back to increase the gross enrolment ratio in higher education in Assam. However, the scheme was replicated subsequently to cover the students of higher secondary standard also. A total of 2,94,633 students benefited in the year 2023-24, he added.
Stating on the use of technology for admission in the institutions of higher education, Sarma said that using Samarth Portal 2,28,399 students applied for admission and 85.2 per cent students got admitted. He also added that technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have a great role to play in the future education system. Therefore, the State government, using the Samarth Portal has tried to make the entire process of admission clean and hassle free.
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He further said that the government has taken a series of steps for the intellectual development of the students. Ranging from free enrolment in educational institutions to free bicycle & scooty distribution to nijut moina, these schemes brought about revolutionary changes in the academic landscape of the State, he asserted. Sarma remembered how some students in Cotton College (now a university) faced the financial ordeal in paying the fees during his college days. Hence he took personal initiative to implement a free admission scheme for students belonging to BPL and middle income group families.
Commenting on the reactions stemming from the notification of the higher education department regarding exemption of PRC for appointment of assistant professor, librarian, grade III & grade IV employees in colleges, Sarma said that PRC cannot protect the rights of the local people, as it can be obtained if a person lives in Assam for three years. He said that the government has made proficiency in local language mandatory for selection which would protect the rights and interests of locals.
State education minister Ranoj Pegu, Cotton University vice-chancellor Ramesh Chandra Deka, Bodoland University vice-chancellor Babulal Ahuja, KKHSOU vice-chancellor Rajendra Das, Kumar Bhaskar Varma Sanskrit and Ancient Studies University vice-chancellor and Bhattadev University vice-chancellor Prahlad Joshi, Kabiguru Rabindranath Tagore University vice-chancellor Amalendu Chakraborty, Madhavdev University vice-chancellor Arup Jyoti Chowdhury, Majuli University of Culture vice-chancellor Nirode Baruah, Birangana Sati Sadhani Rajyik Vishwavidyalaya vice-chancellor G Singaiah, Assam Women University vice-chancellor Ajanta Borgohain Rajkonwar and a host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
