May 25: Around 200 students from various higher educational institutions across Odisha are currently engaged in internships at the Odisha State Museum as part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 initiative. The programme is designed to encourage experiential learning in areas related to history, culture, and heritage studies.
Odia Language, Literature & Culture Minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited the museum on Sunday to review the ongoing internship programme. During his visit, he toured multiple galleries and interacted with student interns working across different sections of the museum.
The internship programme, facilitated by the Higher Education Department, places undergraduate students in government institutions to provide practical exposure beyond classroom learning. At the Odisha State Museum, interns are gaining experience in departments such as archaeology, ancient coins, manuscripts, books, arts, and crafts.
The Minister highlighted the importance of preserving Odisha’s cultural heritage, including its monuments, inscriptions, artefacts, and traditional art forms. He also stressed the need to encourage research in history and archaeology to strengthen academic understanding of the state’s rich legacy.
He further stated that Odisha’s heritage and architecture are key elements of its identity and emphasized the role of youth in documenting and promoting this heritage on global platforms through research and innovation.
Officials noted that the internship programme allows students to work directly with historical objects, ancient coins, manuscripts, and other cultural materials preserved in the museum. Participants also shared positive feedback about their learning experience during their interaction with the Minister.
Odisha State Museum Superintendent Dr. Bharati Pal and other officials were present during the review visit.
