New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for greater engagement between government departments, universities and young people to bring fresh perspectives into policymaking, a day after ETEducation reported that the Centre was planning a nationwide “One Day, One University” programme under which Union ministers would visit campuses and interact directly with students.
At a high-level meeting with Secretaries to the Government of India, Modi said wider engagement with universities and young people could bring “fresh perspectives” and new, unconventional ideas into policymaking, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
The PMO statement did not specifically refer to the proposed “One Day, One University” programme. The call for greater government-university engagement, however, comes a day after sources told ETEducation that the Centre was preparing the programme as a platform for ministers to engage directly with students.
Under the proposed format, one Union minister would visit a university every day and hold an open-house interaction with students. Students would be able to directly raise questions with ministers and discuss issues including education, jobs, skills and other matters concerning young people.
Education Minister Pralhad Joshi and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya have been tasked with coordinating the proposed outreach, including preparing university-wise lists and assigning ministers to institutions, according to sources.
Sources had told ETEducation that the proposal figured in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Modi on Wednesday. The initiative has not yet been formally announced by the government, and details of its schedule, participating universities and ministerial assignments are yet to be finalised.
PM seeks stronger university-youth connect
Modi’s remarks on Thursday provide a broader policy context to the proposed outreach.
Calling for greater engagement between government departments, universities and young people, the Prime Minister said such interaction could bring fresh and unconventional ideas into policymaking. He also stressed the need for greater research and innovation and urged officials to work beyond departmental silos.
The Prime Minister’s call comes as the Centre steps up its focus on youth, education, skills and employment. The government has also announced a free online coaching initiative for young people preparing for competitive examinations.
On Wednesday, Joshi held a meeting with senior officials of the Department of Higher Education to review the implementation of the free online coaching initiative. In a post on X, Joshi said the meeting focused on building a “robust national platform” to make high-quality learning content, expert guidance and structured preparation accessible to students across the country.
At Thursday’s meeting, Modi also called for effective use of artificial intelligence while ensuring human intervention and judgement. He described data as a national asset and called for greater interoperability and more effective use of government data.
For universities and students, the proposed ministerial outreach could create a direct channel to raise concerns and ideas with policymakers, while giving the government greater exposure to perspectives emerging from campuses.
The “One Day, One University” programme remains under preparation and has not yet been formally announced by the government.
