Leh, May 27 : Academic leaders and educationists on Monday underscored the need for innovation-driven, multidisciplinary and globally competitive higher education institutions during the inauguration of an eight-day online orientation and sensitisation programme on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 organised by the University of Ladakh in collaboration with the UGC Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC), Central University of South Bihar (CUSB), Gaya.
The programme, which will continue till June 4, aims to familiarise faculty members, researchers and academicians with the policy framework, institutional reforms and implementation strategies envisaged under NEP 2020.
Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Silchar, Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant, while delivering the inaugural-cum-keynote address, emphasised the importance of innovation, academic flexibility and internationalisation in higher education institutions. He said educators and researchers must adapt to evolving academic practices and contribute actively towards translating the vision of NEP 2020 into institutional reforms.
Prof. Pant observed that multidisciplinary learning, research-oriented education and globally aligned academic systems were central to the policy’s framework. He also stressed that Indian universities should remain rooted in indigenous knowledge systems while adapting to international academic standards.
The inaugural session was chaired by Vice Chancellor of Central University of South Bihar, Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, and attended by Vice Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, Prof. Saket Kushwaha, who participated as Patron of the programme.
Prof. Kushwaha highlighted the importance of inclusive and region-specific education, particularly for geographically distinct regions such as Ladakh. He said universities carried the responsibility of preserving cultural heritage and local knowledge traditions while embracing contemporary educational reforms introduced under NEP 2020.
Reflecting on the changing dimensions of India’s education system, Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh said reforms were necessary to make higher education more accessible, skill-oriented and internationally competitive.
The programme commenced with Saraswati Vandana and Vande Mataram, followed by a welcome address by Prof. Ravi Kant, Dean, School of Education and Head, Department of Teacher Education, CUSB Gaya.
Director, UGC MMTTC and Programme Coordinator, Dr. Tarun Kumar Tyagi, outlined the objectives of the orientation programme and highlighted the need for holistic, learner-centric and multidisciplinary approaches envisioned in NEP 2020.
The inaugural-cum-technical session featured Prof. Rajive Mohan Pant as Resource Person on the theme “NEP 2020 and Higher Education,” during which he elaborated on the evolving landscape of higher education in India and the growing relevance of innovation-led pedagogy and flexible academic structures.
The second technical session was delivered by Vice Chancellor of Vinoba Bhave University, Jharkhand, Prof. C. B. Sharma, on the topic “Decoding NEP 2020 and Internationalisation of Higher Education.”
Prof. Sharma presented a detailed account of the evolution of education policies in India and discussed the implications of NEP 2020 for global engagement of Indian universities. He underlined the role of international collaborations and adoption of global best practices in strengthening the country’s higher education ecosystem.
Faculty members, scholars, researchers and academicians from institutions across the country participated in the sessions and engaged in discussions on implementation of reforms proposed under the National Education Policy.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Dawa Wangmo, Assistant Professor, Department of International Conflict Studies, University of Ladakh.
Officials said the orientation programme would continue over the coming days with expert lectures and interactive discussions on multiple dimensions of NEP 2020 and higher education reforms.
