The National Education Policy (NEP) was brought out in the year 2020, aiming to transform India into a global knowledge superpower through broad-based, flexible, multidisciplinary education suited to 21st-century needs. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will inaugurate the  Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam which is coinciding with the 3rd anniversary of National Education Policy 2020, on 29th July 2023 at ITPO, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The two-day event is being organised by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship. The Prime Minister will be launching various initiatives on the occasion.

In the run-up to the third anniversary of the NEP to be commemorated later this weekend, the heads of institutes of higher learning and officials of Skill Development institutes shared the achievements and the highlights of the journey of implementation of NEP so far with the media.

The Director of IIT Hyderabad, Prof BS Murty said that the institute pioneered the introduction of Fractal Academics, i.e. courses having credits ranging from 0.5 to 3, which enables students to have breadth and depth in the subjects of their interest. He said that the curriculum in all UG programs has 10% liberal arts incorporated and the students can also earn credits from outside the institute. Prof Murty said that in order to encourage entrepreneurship leading to Atmanirbhar Bharat, the IIT- H is supporting innovations by the students through BUILD (Bold & Unique Ideas Leading Development) projects and providing a semester break with 6 credits to students to pursue such innovations. Technology Research Park (TRP) for industries and Technology Incubation Park (TIP) for Startups with 150,000 sqft of space each have been created in IIT Hyderabad to encourage  innovation with Industry support, the Director informed.

Speaking about the implementation of NEP in the University of Hyderabad, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. B. Jagdeeshwar Rao said that the scheme of Academic Bank of Credits has begun. Multiple Entry and Exit facility is being implemented for all Integrated Masters’ programmes, 19 programmes in all, he shared. Regulations for pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously have been adopted and the University is offering 14 Diploma courses through Centre for Distance and Virtual Learning Prof Rao informed. In line with the multi-disciplinary approach delineated in NEP, the University of Hyderabad has introduced new courses like -Introduction to Gender Studies, Value Based Education, NGOs and Nation Building etc. he shared.

The Joint Director of the Regional Directorate of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship of Telangana state, Shri Vidyanad stated that as the NEP emphasizes the integration of vocational education into general education the institute is working towards providing students with both academic and practical skills. Sh. Vidyanand informed that under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY 2022-23), Schools, Higher education Institutions, Colleges, Universities, institutions of national repute etc. are being on-boarded as ‘Skill Hubs’, leveraging their existing infrastructure and domain experience to provide quality training under PMKVY. Today, there are close to 1000 Skill Hubs with 1 lakh candidates enrolled in them, he shared. About 2000+ institutions have been allocated targets, including institutions of national repute such as IITs, IIITs, NITs, and central universities. ISM Dhanbad and IIT Guwahati have already started training in Assistant Mine Surveyor, Green House Operator, Self Employed Tailor, Social Media Associate job roles.

NEP 2020 paves the way for developing and grooming our youth for such a responsibility, preparing them for emerging job roles of the future. The policy emphasizes developing the foundational and higher cognitive capacities of each individual such as critical thinking and problem solving. Therefore, there is a need for the leadership of academia, policy experts, and industry experts to come together for brainstorming and devising implementation strategy. Accordingly, the two day event in New Delhi will include sixteen sessions spread over 2 days from 29th to 30th July, discussions will be held on Access to Quality Education and Governance, Equitable and Inclusive Education, Issues of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Group (SEDG), National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF), Indian knowledge System, Creating Synergy between education and Skilling Future of Work, Internationalisation of Education, among others.