Subhechcha Ganguly 
In the heart of Odisha, in the remote rural area of Paralakhemundi, a transformational journey began in 2005 when Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra, along with three dedicated professors, took over the reins of Jagannath Institute for Technology & Management (JITM). Facing challenges of reduced intake, poor academic performance, and placement issues, Prof. Mishra embarked on a mission to turn around the college and place it on the national stage through qualitative improvements in curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities.
Prof. Mishra’s career trajectory had its roots in the corporate sector, where he spent over 18 years in various roles, including notable positions in the Marketing Department at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd., India, The Industrial Development Corporation of Orissa Limited, India, and at Kinhill Engineers Pvt. Ltd., Melbourne, Australia. His corporate experience provided him with a robust analytical framework and expertise to comprehend existing problems and anticipate future threats.
After establishing himself in the corporate world, Prof. Mishra transitioned to the field of education. Armed with two Master’s degrees in Analytical and Applied Economics and Public Administration from India, he went on to complete his MBA and PhD degrees from Victoria University, Australia. His passion for meaningful education led to a promising career in teaching across the globe, spanning countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, India, China, Africa, and Australia.
In 2010, Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra founded Centurion University of Technology & Management, marking the FIRST Private, Multi-Sector, Multi-Campus State University established through an Act of Parliament. This unique institution focuses on experience-based learning, hands-on knowledge, and practice-oriented education in remote, regional, and indigenous regions.
Centurion University stands out for its inclusive and co-habitation-based education model. All students, ranging from school dropouts to Ph.D. level, reside and learn together in a community that links education to employability, employment, and entrepreneurship. This model has received praise from prestigious entities such as the UN, the World Bank, McKinsey, and The Economist.
Prof. Mishra’s visionary leadership extends beyond the confines of traditional education. Under his guidance, Centurion University has set up initiatives like Gram Tarang, a social enterprise outreach entity, which evolved into micro-finance, industry-specific skill training, and competency-building for Below Poverty Line (BPL) individuals. The university also established a social enterprise centre for incubating and promoting nano, mini, novo, and micro family enterprises/businesses, especially for urban poor clusters/slums.
Waste-to-wealth initiatives and the establishment of a model tribal village to promote and sustain local and indigenous art and craft showcase Prof. Mishra’s commitment to holistic development. The university works with 100,000 farmers, recognizing prior learning and delivering gap training to treat every block of land as an enterprise and every farmer as an entrepreneur.
Centurion University, with seven campuses in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, offers a multidisciplinary and skill-integrated educational experience. It boasts schools dedicated to agriculture, allied health sciences, architecture, basic sciences, engineering and technology, management, media and communication, pharmacy and life sciences, vocational education and training, the Institute of Knowledge Societies, and the School of Law and School of Maritime Studies.
The university’s commitment to research and innovation is evident in its state-of-the-art product development lab, powered by partnerships with renowned companies like Dassault and Wipro 3D. Prof. Mishra’s emphasis on outcome-based and impact-oriented education has led to over 100 patents and copyrights, with the university generating about 50% of its revenue through training, product development, and production.
Centurion University’s curriculum, designed for flexibility, offers students the opportunity to choose from over 50 different domains and more than 100 skill courses. Real-time learning and production labs of industrial scale, engaged in active production and delivery of services linked to markets and communities, form the basis of a dynamic learning ecosystem. Internships are integral to all programs, ensuring students gain valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra’s commitment to progressive education has not gone unnoticed. The World Bank and NITI Aayog have acknowledged the university’s exceptional approach. Centurion University has been named the best practice reference point in Odisha and holds the status of ‘Skill University’ and ‘Centre of Excellence.’As Centurion University continues to innovate and foster an inclusive learning environment, it stands as a beacon of hope for the future of education in India and beyond. Prof. Mukti Kanta Mishra’s visionary leadership has not only transformed a struggling engineering college into a model of excellence but has also created a holistic educational ecosystem that empowers students to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
