Bhubaneswar, June 10: In a landmark step to make higher education more inclusive, the Odisha Government has partnered with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) to offer a wide range of academic programmes in the Odia language.
The agreement, signed by the Higher Education Department on Monday, will enable students to pursue undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, certificate, and professional courses such as BBA, MBA, and tourism management in their mother tongue.
Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj, who was present at the signing event, described the initiative as a major step toward equitable learning. “Language should not be a barrier to education. This partnership will help more students, especially from rural areas, to access quality education in a language they understand best,” he said.
The minister added that learning in the native language enhances understanding, encourages student participation, and could significantly improve enrollment and retention rates in higher education.
The move is also aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages education in regional languages to promote better learning outcomes.
Students from colleges across the state joined the event virtually and expressed strong support for the initiative. Senior officials including Higher Education Commissioner Arvind Agrawal, IGNOU Vice Chancellor Uma Kanjilal, and other dignitaries were also present.
This collaboration is expected to make higher education more accessible and student-friendly across Odisha, bridging the gap between language and learning.