In a significant move towards transforming the state’s educational infrastructure, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated several student-centric web portals developed under the Department of Higher and Technical Education at the Jharkhand Secretariat on Tuesday. He also launched the Innovation Hub at the Ranchi Science Centre and presided over the state-level workshop for the Jharkhand Research and Innovation Policy 2025.
The event was attended by notable personalities including the Minister for Higher and Technical Education, Sudivya Kumar, Chief Secretary Alka Tiwari, Additional Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary of Higher and Technical Education Rahul Kumar Purwar, and Managing Director and CEO of CSC e-Governance Services India Limited Sanjay Kumar Rakesh, along with Vice-Chancellors from various state universities.
Unveiling of Key Educational Portals
The primary aim behind the development of these portals is to strengthen digital governance and infrastructure in the education sector. The portals launched on Tuesday include critical tools that aim to streamline various administrative and academic processes:
Salary Determination Portal: Designed to simplify the salary verification process for teachers and non-teaching staff at universities and colleges, reducing errors and improving efficiency.
Learning Management Portal: This portal will manage online teaching and training services, facilitating the administration and documentation of ongoing educational programs and training activities.
Private University Management Portal: This portal will ease the establishment and management processes of new private universities in the state.
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Chief Minister Fellowship Scheme Portal: Developed to promote higher education and research at educational institutions, this portal will make it easier for students to apply for and benefit from fellowships.
Apprenticeship Management Portal: Facilitating the selection and training of apprentices in various state universities, colleges, and institutions, this portal aims to simplify and streamline the apprenticeship process.
Non-Government College Grant Portal: This portal will make the grant application process for financially independent colleges more efficient, reducing inspection and verification delays.
Innovation Hub at Ranchi Science Centre
An integral part of the event was the inauguration of the Innovation Hub at the Ranchi Science Centre. The hub will provide a nurturing environment for fostering creative ideas, innovative thinking, and practical problem-solving. It is set to play a pivotal role in promoting innovation across the region.
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Additionally, a 270 crore project was announced to upgrade the Ranchi Science City, enhancing scientific tourism in the city. Spanning over 25 acre, this project aims to provide a combination of scientific displays and entertainment to attract more tourists to the region.
Ranchi University’s New Campus Proposal
As part of the event, a presentation was made about the new building for Ranchi University, costing approximately Rs 1,100 crore. This new campus, located on an 87-acre land in Chedi, will offer world-class facilities to over 30,000 students, enhancing the academic experience and quality of education in the state.
The workshop also introduced the Jharkhand Student Research and Innovation Policy 2025, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at fostering a culture of research, innovation, and entrepreneurship among students. With a budget of Rs. 1,280 crore, this policy aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, focusing on integrating research in higher education. It provides seed funding for startups and grants for research projects, seminars, and conferences.
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The policy also aims to make Jharkhand a hub for research-driven economic and technological development, providing financial incentives to universities and colleges for establishing Research and Innovation Cells.
A Step Towards Digital Education
In his address, Minister Sudivya Kumar emphasized the government’s commitment to improving access to higher education and training students to be skilled professionals. The launch of these portals is seen as a significant step in digitizing the education system, making it more transparent and efficient. The portals are designed to eliminate long waiting periods and slow administrative processes, enabling applicants to track the status of their applications in real-time.
Kumar expressed his confidence that despite any challenges that may arise, the department will continue to refine the systems, ensuring smooth operations and ease of access for all stakeholders involved.
