Chandigarh/New Delhi : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday reviewed the Higher Education Department’s five-year roadmap and action plan under the Haryana Vision-2047 initiative, directing officials to accelerate reforms aimed at making higher education modern, research-driven, employment-oriented and globally competitive.
Chairing a review meeting at the Haryana Civil Secretariat, the Chief Minister assessed the progress of ongoing schemes, budget announcements and Chief Minister’s announcements relating to the higher education sector. He stressed the need for timely implementation of projects while maintaining quality standards.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that 22 Model Sanskriti Colleges are being developed as autonomous institutions with modern infrastructure, smart classrooms, digital libraries and technology-enabled learning facilities. Mr. Saini directed officials to ensure that all under-construction college buildings and academic infrastructure projects are completed within the stipulated timelines.
To strengthen the global profile of Haryana’s higher education institutions, the state has set a target of securing places for its institutions among the top 150 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). Efforts are also underway to expand collaborations with foreign universities, promote student exchange programmes, strengthen research activities and encourage patent generation.
The Chief Minister directed officials to improve university rankings by promoting research and innovation and filling vacant faculty positions at the earliest.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed Autonomous AI Digital Colleges in Panchkula and Gurugram, which will offer technology-driven education through AI-based learning systems. Emphasising the importance of future-ready education, the Chief Minister said students must be equipped with skills required for emerging technologies.
Officials further informed that undergraduate tuition fees for girl students studying in government colleges have been waived to promote higher education among women.
Expressing concern over student dropout rates, the Chief Minister directed officials to identify students who have discontinued their education and take steps to bring them back into the academic system. He also instructed that scholarship and financial assistance schemes be strengthened so that no student is deprived of higher education due to financial hardship.
To encourage innovation and research, the state is introducing 100 per cent reimbursement of patent registration fees, up to ₹50,000, and establishing a ₹10-crore Higher Education Quality and Research Fund. The department is also integrating NCC, NSS and sports activities with the Academic Credit Bank while developing a unified digital portal for internships, apprenticeships and placements.
During the meeting, officials reviewed the progress of educational infrastructure projects in Rewari, Narnaul and other districts. They informed that science stream classes have commenced at Government Women College, Kairu, while the new Government College at Ramsaran Majra will begin functioning from the upcoming academic session.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to expedite the distribution of scooters to meritorious girl students under the Avval Balika Yojana. Stressing the need for regular monitoring of all schemes, he said timely implementation of reforms would help position Haryana as a leading state in higher education, research and innovation.
Education Minister Mahipal Dhanda, Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, A.K. Singh, Principal Secretary, Department of Future, Amneet P. Kumar, Director General, Higher Education Department, S. Narayanan, OSD to the Chief Minister and Director General of Swarna Jayanti Haryana Institute for Fiscal Management, Dr. Raj Nehru, along with other senior officials, were present during the meeting.