Agartala, Sept 19: Higher education in the Northeast needs to be shaped around the region’s resources, cultural diversity and emerging economic opportunities, Tripura Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman said at the Education Conference 2026 in Dimapur, Nagaland.
Speaking at the inaugural session on “Implementation of NEP 2020: Goals, Challenges and Opportunities for the Northeastern States,” Barman stressed the need for effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 across the region.
He said the Northeast’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage and natural resources could provide a strong base for higher education, research and innovation. Sectors such as bamboo, agriculture and tourism, he said, should be linked more closely with academic research, skill development and entrepreneurship.
Barman said implementation of NEP 2020 should take into account the specific requirements of northeastern states rather than follow a uniform approach. He also called for greater emphasis on skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to expand opportunities for young people.
The minister said better use of the region’s natural and human resources through education and research could strengthen its contribution to India’s development.
He called for closer cooperation among the northeastern states to build a more skilled and innovation-driven workforce, linking the region’s education goals with the broader Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
The conference brought together education administrators, experts and representatives from across the Northeast to review the progress of NEP 2020 and deliberate on challenges and opportunities in strengthening higher education in the region.
