New Delhi, Dec. 17 -- States hold the key to the next phase of higher education reform in India, said Anantha Nageswaran, Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, during the CII Global Higher Education Summit on Wednesday here in the national capital.

He outlined key priorities for states, including a shift from control to stewardship, the urgent addressing of faculty shortages through mechanisms such as professors of practice, moving from input-based to outcome-based regulation, adopting an entrepreneurial approach in public administration, and financing institutions based on differentiated roles and outcomes.

Nageswaran also called for deeper industry engagement in curriculum design, research, and governance.

"Industry can ...