Bhubaneswar: Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi Friday hailed Odisha as an ancient centre of learning and knowledge, saying the state’s rich civilisational legacy reflects India’s enduring educational traditions. Chairing the meeting, Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi said education systems must continuously evolve through innovation to meet the aspirations of future generations while remaining rooted in human values. Referring to India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 theme, “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability,” he said learners, teachers, researchers and youth should remain at the centre of policymaking and international collaboration. The meeting was attended by Education Ministers, senior officials and delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. The ministers also welcomed India’s proposal on guiding principles for strengthening academic collaboration on traditional and indigenous knowledge systems.