Ashok Verma
Bathinda, August 29, 2020: Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) conducted a Webinar on “National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020)” on 28th August 2020. CUPB Internal Quality Assurance Cell conducted this programme under the patronage of honourable Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari. The resource person of this programme was Prof. VasudhaKamat, former Vice-Chancellor, SNDT Women University (Mumbai)
At the beginning of the event, Prof. S.K. Bawa, Director, IQAC welcomed the participants and presented the programme theme. While introducing the resource person, Prof. Bawa mentioned that Prof. Kamat was one of the members of the committee constituted by GOI in 2017 to prepare the Draft of National Education Policy approved by the Union Cabinet in 2020.
In her address, Prof. Kamat mentioned that she was fortunate to be a part of the Committee to prepare Draft on NEP-2020. She added, the NEP-2020 is student-centric and targets to achieve 100 % Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education by 2030 and 50 % GER in higher education by 2035. She stated that the NEP-2020 aims to build objective thinking & promote scientific temperament among learners, to identify the unique capabilities of each student, to impart multidisciplinary and holistic education, to encourage multilingualism, to impart life skills, to promote interdisciplinary education, and to encourage path-breaking research. She also mentioned that this NEP-2020 would bring universalization in the school education system, autonomy in higher the education system, and will ensure a high-quality outcome-based education system for all.
While speaking on the reforms introduced by NEP-2020 in School Education System, Prof. Kamat said that NEP-2020 introduces ‘5+3+3+4 new curricular structure’ to build a strong foundation of children based on logical thinking embedded with Indian Values. She asserted other key reforms in the School Sector such as teaching in mother language till 5th standard, New National Curriculum Framework, establishment of BalBhavans, internships and vocational education from 6th standard, freedom to choose subjects across different streams at secondary education level and exams to test core competencies and holistic development will help in preparing students for future challenges while staying connected with their culture, and values.
She stressed that the inclusion of innovative reforms in the higher education system like the introduction of holistic & multidisciplinary education with a creative combination of subjects, multiple entries and exit points, and credit transfer through the academy bank of credits, will not only provide easy access to higher education to students of India but will also help in developing skilled & intellectual manpower that will contribute to the growth of the nation. She also highlighted that the various initiatives under ‘internationalization of education’ such as opportunities for Top Indian Universities to expand overseas, and invitation to top Universities of World to build the campus in India will not retain our students going abroad, but will also attract foreign students under ‘Study in India, Stay in India’ initiative. She emphasized that the establishment/implementation of the Higher Education Commission of India, National Research Foundation, National Mission for Mentoring, National Book Promotion Policy, Multidisciplinary Education & Research Universities, National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education & other key suggestion of NEP-2020 will help in enhancing the standard of teaching and research.
Honourable Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, appreciated Prof. Kamat for making a valuable contribution in designing NEP-2020, that will guide us in making India, the ‘Education & Innovation Centre’ of World. He mentioned that the NEP-2020 is India’s first Education Policy that aims to address the growing development imperatives of our country to achieve the bigger objective of ‘AtamNirbhar Bharat’ under the able leadership of Prime Minister ShriNarendraModiJi. He mentioned that the NEP-2020 will be based on UNESCO’s fundamental principle of Access, Equity, Solidarity, Quality, Affordability, Accountability, and will ensure the right to education to all. He added, as per the vision of National Education Policy-2020, our mission will be to provide international academic exposure with vast opportunities in higher education & multidisciplinary research to students of India and abroad. He also stressed that CUPB is determined to create high-quality online educational resources to ensure uninterrupted knowledge sharing with learners, even in the times of COVID-19.
At the end, Prof. TarunAroraextended formal vote of thanks.
The webinar was attended by Prof. V.K. Garg, Dean Student Welfare, Prof R.K. Wusirika, Dean Incharge Academics, Shri K.P.S. Mundra, Registrar, faculty, staff members, and students of the university.