BHUBANESWAR: Amid growing concerns over question paper leaks in national-level exams, the state government is planning to reform and strengthen its examination and evaluation process by introducing artificial intelligence (AI)-integrated systems and reducing human interventions at different levels.
State Higher Education department authorities revealed the plans at the two-day vice-chancellors conference which kicked off at Lok Bhavan here on Sunday. The conference was inaugurated by Governor and Chancellor of Universities Hari Babu Kambhampati in presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
DHE officials said the move is aimed at enhancing transparency, strengthening security mechanisms and improving the overall efficiency of the examination process. The proposed reform will explore the use of AI-driven tools for question paper management, examination monitoring and automated evaluation of answer scripts.
As part of a broader transformation agenda, the state government also plans to introduce its own institutional ranking framework ‘Odisha Institutional Ranking Framework’ to promote quality, competitiveness and excellence among higher education institutions. The DHE has set a target of ensuring accreditation for 50 per cent of institutions by 2029 by improving performance in National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) assessments and the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF).
The roadmap further envisages conversion of five existing universities into multidisciplinary institutions, establishment of digital universities at Ravenshaw and Odisha State Open University and creation of a purpose fund involving industry and both public and private universities to support innovation and research.
The state also aims to drive internationalisation of higher education through an Edu-City masterplan while extending green energy infrastructure and OSWAN broadband connectivity to all campuses, creating a modern and technology-enabled higher education ecosystem.
Addressing the conference, Governor Kambhampati called upon universities to evolve into globally competitive, socially responsible and technologically advanced institutions while remaining deeply rooted in Indian values.
He emphasised that higher education institutions must play a pivotal role in building an Atmanirbhar Bharat and preparing the state for future challenges.
The Governor also urged universities to undertake meaningful research on indigenous knowledge systems, tribal traditions and cultural preservation. He informed that publications documenting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), prepared by the Tribal Cell of Lok Bhavan, would be made available to universities to support academic study and research initiatives.
Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the state government’s enhanced budgetary allocation for the education sector and outlined several initiatives aimed at strengthening higher education. Emphasising that education is the foundation of a progressive and prosperous society, he called upon educational institutions to prepare a roadmap for inclusive development and help transform Odisha into a major growth engine of the country.
Deputy chief minister KV Singh Deo, Health and Family Welfare minister Mukesh Mahaling, School and Mass Education minister Nityananda Gond, Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, Higher Education minister Suryabanshi Suraj and senior government officials attended the conference.
This story is reported by Sudarsan Maharana