Education, research and innovation will play an important role in the development of Tripura, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said on Friday as Tripura University marked its 40th Foundation Day.

Addressing the programme at the university’s Maharaja Bir Bikram Satabarshiki Bhavan, Dr Saha said the university, established on October 2, 1987, had played an important role in the state’s education, research and knowledge sectors. It attained Central University status through a Parliamentary Bill in July 2007.

Dr Saha said collective efforts should continue to develop the institution into a major centre of education and research in the North-East through national and international cooperation, expansion of research and promotion of entrepreneurship.

He said education should not be limited to acquiring knowledge but should also contribute to character building and developing responsible and service-minded citizens. Tripura’s cultural heritage, tribal society, biodiversity and geographical and environmental features, he said, provided ample scope for research. He also stressed the need for stronger coordination between industry and educational institutions, inter-departmental research, innovation and academic cooperation.

Highlighting the expansion of higher education, Dr Saha said seven new government degree colleges had been established since 2018 at Old Agartala, Panisagar, Ambassa, Kakraban, Karbook and Nalchhar, besides Sri Aurobindo General Degree College. The Women’s Degree College at Nalchhar started functioning from the 2026-27 academic session. Acts have also been passed to upgrade Agartala Women’s College into Tripura Government Women University and Tripura Institute of Technology into a University of Technology.

He said the TPSC had recommended 74 Assistant Professors for appointment in the first phase, while recruitment to another 126 posts was under process. Approval had also been received for 200 additional Assistant Professor posts.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Debabrata Das said the university was entering its fifth decade with a focus on research, innovation and employment-oriented education. He said nearly 1,500 research papers had been published over the past five years, including 75 international-standard papers, while 25 patents had been secured.

The university outlined a proposed investment plan of around Rs 1,589 crore for infrastructure, research and academic development. Five MoUs were signed or proposed with academic and institutional partners, including Assam University, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, North East Financial Inclusion Trust, the Institute of Cost Accountants of India and the Pahle India Foundation. Bandhan Group chairman Chandra Shekhar Ghosh also announced Rs 10 crore in financial assistance for the university’s development.

Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman, Chancellor Ahmed Javed and representatives of partner institutions also attended the programme, where professors, other staff members and contributors were felicitated.