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Dimapur, Feb. 26 (EMN): Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) at Nagaland University, Prof. MK Sinha, informed that holistic education under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 would include those in professional, technical, and vocational disciplines.
Speaking at a one-day seminar on National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, organised at Nagaland University in Lumami on February 25 as part of Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav, Prof. Sinha stated that the assessments of educational approaches in undergraduate education have consistently shown positive learning outcomes with increased creativity and innovation, critical thinking and higher-order thinking capacities, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication skills, more in-depth learning and mastery of curricula across fields, increases in social and moral awareness, etc, besides general engagement and enjoyment of learning.
He informed that undergraduate degree would be of either 3 or 4 years duration with multiple exit options within the period with appropriate certifications. He stated that the 4-year programme would lead to a degree ‘with research.’
He stated that higher education institutions (HEI) would have the flexibility to offer different designs of Masters programmes, whereby there may be a two-year programme with the second year devoted entirely to research for those who have completed the three-year Bachelors programme, while for students completing a four-year Bachelor’s programme, there could be a one-year Masters programme.
He added that states would have the flexibility to decide on the medium of instruction and be encouraged to conduct more academic programmes in Indian languages or mother-tongue.
He further stated that by 2040, all higher education institutions should become multidisciplinary institutions and have student enrolments in the thousands for optimal use of infrastructure and resources.
In his observation, Dr. Maongsangba, Controller of Examination, dwelt at length on the NEP 2020, with special focus on the implementation issues. Among others, he stated that implementation must necessarily be done in a phased manner.
He concluded by asserting that there was a need for proper planning, adequate funding and commitment on the part of faculty, administration and stakeholders.
Prof. B Kilangla Jamir, Vice-Chancellor In-charge, in her speech, asserted that NEP 2020 was focused on improving the quality of education because the development of a nation is dependent upon quality education.
As India would have the highest number of young people in the world by the next decade, she stated that the country’s ability to provide quality education would determine the future of India
She also asserted on the need for a skilled workforce especially with multi-disciplinary abilities across streams of knowledge. She further recommended introduction of vocational skills at all levels of educational institutions so that students would be gainfully engaged, even if they failed to get employment.
The programme was attended by faculty, officers, administrative staff members, teachers of KV, and students.