Bhubaneswar, Aug 31 (Reporter) Odisha will get Rs 500 crore under PM-USHA scheme, an important step towards universal and inclusive education, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said. The PM USHA scheme will bring administrative reforms in Odisha universities, government and government-aided colleges and educational institutions, Pradhan said while launching the scheme with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Odisha Higher Education department and the Union Education Ministry with the objective of setting up new educational institutions in the state and improving the overall development of higher educational institutions. Pradhan said PM-USHA is an important initiative of the Union Government towards universal and inclusive education in the higher education sector. With a 60-40 ratio of funding between the Centre and the states, the initiative aims to develop quality teaching and learning processes, accredit higher education institutions and create technology-based digital infrastructure and increase employability through multi-disciplinary courses. The Union Minister said it was ironic that the previous BJD government did not implement this plan in the state. He said the scheme will connect about one crore students from the school to the higher education sector in the state with global skills. The Government of India, the Minister said, will fully cooperate in strengthening the education infrastructure in the state. Pradhan hoped that the Odisha government will take steps to maintain the autonomy and uniqueness of educational institutions as per the guidelines of UGC by amending the Odisha University Amendment Act - 2020 once again. “It is our resolution that Odisha will lead the world in the 21st century," he said while visualizing a bright future of Odisha. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the implementation of PM-USHA scheme will enhance the quality standards and skill development besides providing employment generation in the higher education sector in the state. Majhi said the PM-USHA scheme will be successfully implemented in Odisha so that it will create a new foundation for education and development of human resources creating a world class environment in the education field. State Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj said the implementation of PM –USHA scheme in the state will strengthen the foundation of educational institutions providing quality education to the students...////...