Bhubaneswar: A new white paper released on Wednesady warns of a growing mass exodus of youth from Odisha over 5 lakh students projected to move abroad for higher education by 2035. This trend, experts say, could result in a massive economic and intellectual loss, unless the state acts urgently to build globally competitive higher education infrastructure.
The report, titled Reimagining Higher Education in Odisha: Towards a World-Class Knowledge Hub, was published by Sikshasandhan and the Dhaitari Naik Institute of Development Studies, with support from the JNU Odisha Alumni Association.
“A robust education infrastructure surely will act the backbone to spur Odisha towards economic and social growth,” said Prof Jatindra Naik, Chairman of Sikshasandhan.
Despite strides in primary education, Odisha’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education stands at just 22.1 %, far below the national average of 28.4% and trailing behind states like Chandigarh (64.8 %), Puducherry (61.5 %), Delhi (49 %), Tamil Nadu (47 %), Kerala (41.3 %). Rajasthan (28%), Madhya Pradesh (28%). The lack of high-quality, multidis ciplinary institutions is pushing students to metros such as Bengaluru, Pune& Delhi, and increasingly to universities,overseas-accelerating capital outflow, brain drain, and workforce shortages at home.
The white paper highlights the proposed Vedanta Waterfront Education City, right in the heart of the state, as a strategic solution offering the students the opportunity, to pursue globally competitive education closer to home. Envisioned as a world-class waterfront education hub inspired by the Ivy League environment of Boston, the proposed global standard university is projected to be a transformative anchor for Odisha’s growth.
With an estimated ₹15,000 crore investment and the capacity to host over 2,00,000 students, this initiative promises to reshape India’s global education landscape. The Education City will feature a multidisciplinary university, world-class R&D and innovation hubs, a premier medical school with a cutting-edge hospital, convention spaces, advanced pharma drug research facilities, and a state-of-the-art sports complex with a modern stadium.
Dr. Manas Nanda, General Secretary, Alumni Association of JNU Odisha said, “Puri emerges as an ideal location for such a university, offering a unique blend of cultural heritage, waterfront appeal, and connectivity that can nurture a thriving academic ecosystemn. Its spiritual and geographic significance further enhances its suitability for a transformative institution.”
The experts recommended that by creating a globally benchmarked institution at home, Odisha has the chance to retain this talent, attract international students, and position itself as a leading centre of knowledge, research, and innovation by 2035. The white paper recommended the state’s leadership to act decisively by setting up a globally benchmarked university, envisioned as a transformative hub for education, research, industry, and social inclusion. The initiative aligns with Viksit Bharat @2047 and NEP 2020 goals, positioning Odisha as a potential global education and innovation destination.
Dr. Iswar Chandra Naik, Founder, Dhaitari Naik Institute of Development Studies & Assistant Professor of Sociology, Ravenshaw University, Odishaadded, “Odisha stands at the threshold of immense opportunity and our youth must be given the best opportunities to groom themselves.”
Vedanta’s transformative project is expected to generate thousands of jobs across academic, administrative, hospitality, and allied sectors, while spurring urbanisation in the Puri-Bhubaneswar corridor. By attracting both domestic and international students and faculty, Odisha could also strengthen its tourism and cultural ecosystem. In addition, the Education City will foster entrepreneurship by incubating startups and enabling strong industry-academia collaborations Scholarships, tribal outreach programmes, and initiatives for women’s safety and access will ensure that the benefits of this knowledge hub are shared equitably across society. With Odisha’s strategic coastline and proximity to Southeast Asia, the propo sed university-city could attract students and scholars from ASEAN nations, supporting India’s Act East policy and anchoring Odisha as a regional knowledge hub.
Drawing from the examples of MIT’s impact on Boston or Stanford’s role in Silicon Valley, the whitepaper highlights how such a project could be equally catalytic for Odisha.
Prof. Nityanand Pradhan, Former Principal, Regional Institute of Education, Ministry of HRD said, “Investing in a globally benchmarked university-city in Puri has the potential to transform 0disha into a hub of knowledge, innovation, and creativity. Such an ecosystem would not only provide families with world-class opportunities close to home, but also nurture research, entrepreneurship, and a skilled workforce that can contribute meaningfully to the state’s progress. This is a chance to shape a future where Odisha’s youth see their state as the place to learn, innovate, and lead.”The white paper calls on policymakers, philanthropists, and private partners to seize this window of opportunity and anchor Odisha as a global education destination. With the right investment and leadership, the state can retain its youth, attract international students, and unlock new engines of growth in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship transforming the state into a vibrant hub of knowledge, innovation, and inclusive growth for generations to come.
