IITs and IIMs to Embrace Multidisciplinary Approach: Pradhan

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020. Pradhan made this call during the inauguration of the Odisha Research Centre (ORC), which was established in collaboration with prominent institutions to explore diverse research areas encompassing Odisha's rich history, culture, economy, and societal aspects.

What did Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan urge IITs and IIMs to adopt?

Pradhan emphasized the need for IITs and IIMs to broaden their scope beyond traditional specialisations and embrace a multi-disciplinary approach to enhance educational diversity and innovation. He highlighted the ORC's pivotal role in shaping Odisha's future and preserving its heritage, particularly in the lead-up to Odisha's centenary celebrations in 2036 and India's independence centenary in 2047.

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The ORC aims to conduct research spanning a wide array of fields, including art, culture, archaeology, literature, sociology, political processes, agriculture, commerce, technology, healthcare, smart cities, climate change, and sustainable development. Minister Pradhan specifically highlighted the center's focus on critical areas such as semiconductors, rare earths, advanced minerals, and cutting-edge technologies.

The ORC's long-term objectives include formulating a comprehensive roadmap for Odisha's development and preserving the Odia language. Pradhan emphasized the significance of the ORC's contributions, especially in the build-up to Odisha's centenary and India's independence centenary.

The ORC was established in collaboration with eminent bodies such as the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), Indian Knowledge Systems Division, Ministry of Education, IIM Sambalpur, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Bhubaneswar. The center aims to create innovative epistemological frameworks that will enable a holistic exploration of Odisha's multifaceted history, culture, economy, and societal fabric.

The primary objective of the ORC remains the development of groundbreaking methodologies to delve into the diverse dimensions of Odisha's heritage, fostering innovation and academic excellence in sync with the NEP's multi-disciplinary approach.

Key Points:

• Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged IITs and IIMs to adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.
• The Odisha Research Centre (ORC) was inaugurated to explore diverse research areas in Odisha.
• The ORC aims to enhance educational diversity and innovation within IITs and IIMs.
• The ORC will play a pivotal role in shaping Odisha's future and preserving its heritage.
• The ORC's focus areas include semiconductors, rare earths, advanced minerals, and cutting-edge technologies.(News Source)