Bhubaneswar: A new education policy was announced after 34 years when the Union government unveiled the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on July 29.
However, the Centurion University of Technology & Management (CUTM) in Odisha proved to be ahead of its times as several features of NEP 2020 were already included within CUTM.
A University source said that aspects like integrating conventional and vocational education, constituent campuses in remote areas, skill-integrated education, multiple pathways, entry-exit options etc were incorporated within CUTM at the time of its inception itself, in 2010.
Among its latest intiative is the international tie-up with Skyline University in Nigeria. Meant for faculty development, student internships, skill programmes and research, it will facilitate students to spend up to a year in their campus as part of their course and also gain skill certification.
CUTM also signed a MoU with UP Education, New Zealand, for a pathway program.
Despite the challenges posed by the prolonged lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, CUTM last month became one of the first universities in the country to complete end-semester exams online on time and also started the new semester on July 13.
CUTM is a private university established by Centurion University of Technology and Management Act, Odisha, 2010 with a strong presence in Odisha through it’s constituent campuses (Parlakhemundi, Jatni, Rayagada and Balangir) as notified by Government of Odisha as well as a Campus in Andhra Pradesh notified by Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Centurion’s School of Vocational Education & Training was recently recognized as a Centre of Excellence by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India. It’s the only Skill University to be conferred this prestigious status till now.
CUTM’s unique skill-integrated higher education model had been widely acknowledged by global organizations like the UN, UNESCO, World Bank and British Council, as well as State/Union Governments and organizations such as the NITI Ayog and NSDC.
Centurion is also recognized as an Institute of Training of Trainers by the MOSDE,Government of India and a State Resource Organization by the PR and DW Department, Government of Odisha.
A Grade ‘A’ NAAC-accredited institution, Centurion is ranked among the top 20% universities in India as per the recently-published NIRF 2020 rankings. It has also been granted the 12 (B) status by the UGC.
For a decade now, it has strived to remain committed to its motto – ‘Shaping Lives… Empowering Communities’.