The Higher Education Forum – 4th National Annual Convention was organized by School of Management, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar with Higher Education Department, Govt. of Odisha, and Corporate Gurukul Pvt. Ltd., Singapore on 9th March, 2013. The theme of the day long convention was ‘Excellence in Higher Education in the Emerging Economic Context’.

The convention was inaugurated by His Excellency Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare, Hon’ble Governor of Odisha along with Shri Ashutosh Chadha, Director (Corporate Affairs), Intel, South Asia; Dr. A.K. Sengupta, Founder and Convenor, HEF and Shri Rajesh Panda, Chairperson, HEF Odisha.

Dr. A.K. Sengupta, in his welcome speech, highlighted on how HEF as an institution is aiming at achieving the reforms that India needs in terms of Social Infrastructure (i.e. Education and Health). He also said that reforms in India should start from Micro level.

Delivering the keynote address, Shri Ashutosh Chadha highlighted the factors required for sustainable growth in India and also pointed the concerns relating to Unemployable education and Employable education. He suggested a paradigm shift in the teaching learning process and a change in the pedagogy of teaching. He mentioned the role of technology in education is as an enabler.

His Excellency Shri Murlidhar C. Bhandare said that Education is like a pyramid which he hopes should act as a vertical tower in India. He also laid emphasis to focus on women’s progress and the safety and dignity of women. He also mentioned the role of innovation as a prime driver for the progress of the country. Looking at the current education system, he said that fundamental knowledge is essential. He emphasized that focus should be on out of box thinking and learning should be joyful rather than passive. He mentioned the important role of teachers by saying that, “A teacher’s role in more important than a facilitator”.

The Higher Education Forum Lifetime Achievement award was given to Late Shri K.K. Patnaik for his achievements in the field of higher education.

The First Session dealing with “Driving Policy Excellence in Higher Education” was chaired by Shri Gagan Dhal, Principal Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Govt of Odisha and was addressed by Prof. Binayak Rath, NISER; Prof. D. V. Ramana, XIMB and Prof. P. P. Mathur, VC, KIIT University.

Prof Binayak Rath said that there should be a change in policies of recruitment. The higher education institutions affiliation system should be free from bureaucracy. There should be restructuring and revamping of education system from private-public-partnership mode to community participation mode.

Prof. P.P Mathur opined that there is a need to change the system which was made by the Britishers and build a system which meets the needs and fills the gap of today’s demographic dividend. The deficiencies in the education sector should be addressed so as to build a better India.

Prof D.V. Ramana said that both Government and Private sector should come forward to contribute towards the growth of the higher education sector.

The Second Session on “Innovation in Higher Education” was chaired by Shri Madhusudan Padhi, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Govt. of Odisha. Prof. Trilochan Pradhan, Chairman, Higher Education Task Force, Govt. of Odisha; Prof. S. Sriram, Director, Great Lakes Institute of Management and Prof. B.K. Mishra, Director, IMMT addressed the session.

The Final Session on “Edupreneurship as a Career” was chaired by Shri G Maithi Vathanan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, IPICOL. Shri P.V. Ramana, Chairman, ITM Group of Institutions; Mr. Amit Agnihotri, Chairman, MBAUniverse.com and Mr. Tridibesh Bandopadhyay, Director, InSkills put forward their views on taking up Edupreneurship as a career option.

The convention was attended by eminent academicians, industry practitioners and higher education students.