Tripura University is set to adopt a research-driven approach to strengthen its academic standing at the national level, with Vice-Chancellor Prof Debabrata Das stressing innovation, technology-enabled education, industry-academia partnerships and research focused on the Northeast.
Addressing faculty members, researchers, officials, employees and students at the Maharaja Bir Bikram Auditorium, Prof Das outlined his vision for the university and called for a shift from conventional degree-oriented education towards research, innovation and knowledge creation.
“Universities do not merely prepare for the future; they create the future,” Prof Das said, stressing that education, research, innovation and social responsibility must progress together.
He said research would remain a strategic priority, with emphasis on quality publications, competitive grants, interdisciplinary projects, patents, consultancy and technology transfer. Artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, biotechnology, healthcare, climate change, sustainability, data analytics and the Indian knowledge system were identified as key areas.
Prof Das also called for greater research into the Northeast’s unique challenges and opportunities, including biodiversity, forest and water-resource management, sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, climate change and disaster management.
He stressed the need to scientifically document and preserve indigenous knowledge, local languages, traditions, culture, traditional healthcare practices and medicinal plants while giving them wider recognition.
The Vice-Chancellor also advocated student-centric and outcome-based learning, with greater emphasis on project work, practical training, interdisciplinary education and research-oriented teaching. He said technology would complement rather than replace teachers, who would increasingly serve as mentors, researchers and innovators.
The university plans to expand collaborations with institutions such as IITs, IISERs and IISc, along with universities, laboratories, government agencies, industries, start-ups and international institutions.
Prof Das further proposed transforming the Central Library into a technology-enabled research and knowledge centre and increasing digitalisation of administrative processes.
Appointed as Tripura University’s 11th permanent Vice-Chancellor for a five-year term last month, Prof Das has urged all stakeholders to work towards academic excellence and contribute to the national goal of building a developed India by 2047.
