KT Parnaik urges universities to focus on research, regional solutions and digital transformation at Itanagar conference
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor K. T. Parnaik on Saturday stressed the need for higher education institutions to move forward with a clear and purposeful vision, calling on universities to prioritise innovation, research and creativity.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the 23rd Conference of Higher and Technical Education in Itanagar, the Governor encouraged students and faculty members to focus on developing solutions to regional challenges such as sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, disaster management and development in border areas.
Parnaik highlighted the importance of conducting research in fields critical to Arunachal Pradesh, including Himalayan ecology, renewable energy and indigenous knowledge systems. He also emphasised the role of modern technology in education, noting that tools such as artificial intelligence, robotics, coding and data science should increasingly become part of academic curricula.
According to the Governor, AI-enabled digital platforms, virtual laboratories and smart classrooms can help students in remote areas access quality education. However, he advised that artificial intelligence should be used as a learning aid rather than a substitute for critical thinking.
He also urged educational institutions to encourage entrepreneurship by creating innovation hubs, incubation centres and start-up laboratories. Such initiatives, he said, can help students become job creators instead of job seekers.
During the event, Parnaik honoured pioneers of higher education and presented awards to outstanding college teachers and NSS volunteers. A book on traditional shifting cultivation practices of the Tangsa tribe was also released at the programme.
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