Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) to embrace a multi-disciplinary approach, in line with the National Education Policy of 2020.

Pradhan's directive aims to improve educational diversity and innovation within these prestigious institutions by emphasising the need to broaden their scope beyond traditional specialisations.

Pradhan highlighted the center's pivotal role in exploring diverse research areas encompassing Odisha's rich history, culture, economy, and societal aspects during the inauguration of the Odisha Research Centre (ORC) in collaboration with prominent institutions.

The establishment of this centre has the potential to shape the educational landscape, particularly in the run-up to Odisha's centennial celebrations in 2036 and India's independence centennial in 2047.

In a speech to a crowd that included Odisha Governor Raghubar Das, Chhattisgarh counterpart Biswa Bhusan Harichandan, and other dignitaries, Pradhan emphasised the importance of implementing a multi-disciplinary education system in accordance with the National Education Policy of 2020.

He emphasised the importance of IITs and IIMs aligning with this transformative approach.

The ORC, which was inaugurated with a ceremony, aims to conduct research in a wide range of fields, including art, culture, archaeology, literature, sociology, political processes, agriculture, commerce, technology, healthcare, smart cities, climate change, and sustainable development. Minister Pradhan emphasised the focus of the centre on critical areas such as semiconductors, rare earths, advanced minerals, and cutting-edge technologies.