**Agartala, September 19:** Tripura’s Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman has called for a comprehensive higher education framework for the Northeast, stressing the need to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in a manner that reflects the region’s distinct resources, culture and development priorities.
Barman made the remarks while representing Tripura at the inaugural session of the Education Conference 2026 in Dimapur. The conference was held on the theme, “Implementation of NEP 2020: Goals, Challenges and Opportunities for Northeastern States.”
The minister interacted with education administrators, academicians, experts and representatives from across the Northeast during the conference, where participants discussed challenges facing higher education and explored avenues for future growth.
Addressing the gathering, Barman underlined the need to incorporate the Northeast’s natural resources and cultural heritage into academic programmes and research. He highlighted the region’s biodiversity, bamboo resources, agricultural potential and tourism sector as areas that could be integrated with innovation, entrepreneurship and higher education.
He said effective implementation of NEP 2020 could help create a modern and region-specific education system while promoting skill development, innovative thinking and entrepreneurship among young people.
Barman stressed that education and research should play a greater role in harnessing the Northeast’s natural resources, human capital and cultural diversity. Such an approach, he said, could help the region make a stronger contribution to India’s overall development.
The minister also called for coordinated efforts by Northeastern states to build an educated, skilled, innovative and entrepreneurial population. He said strengthening these areas could help the region contribute significantly towards the national vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”.
The conference examined the progress made by different Northeastern states in implementing NEP 2020. Discussions also focused on challenges specific to the region and possible measures to further strengthen higher education institutions and systems.
The deliberations provided a platform for states to share experiences and examine approaches for adapting national education reforms to the diverse needs and opportunities of the Northeast.
