NEP - 2020 Thrust Area
Undertaking Transformations Strategies and Actions in Higher Education
Thrust Areas for implementing NEP-2020
Multidisciplinary and Holistic Education
A multidisciplinary and holistic education, as envisaged in the National Education Policy, 2020 aims to develop the social, physical, intellectual, emotional and moral capacities of human beings in an integrated manner. A flexible curriculum will create space for creative combinations of various disciplines and innovative interdisciplinary pairing of subjects. For example, this could enable students from Arts and Humanities to learn Science subjects and undergo Vocational training and vice-versa.
Digital Empowerment and Online Education
Digital Empowerment and Online Education are at the core of the strategy to increase employability and reach the GER of 50% by 2035, as envisaged in NEP 2020. Online learning offers accessible, cost-effective learning opportunities for continuing education. Digital empowerment in the field of education opens up a plethora of options for the learners of today.
Skill Development and Employability
In order to capitalize on India’s remarkable demographic dividend, it is essential to impart quality education linked to employment opportunities. Improving the employability of students requires a new vision with curricular support. It is crucial to integrate vocational education programmes into mainstream education. Internships and Apprenticeships can play a significant role in this context.
Research, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The NEP 2020 focuses on catalysing quality research in the nation and lays the framework to strengthen research ecosystems in higher education. Opportunities for entrepreneurship have become a crucial part of the changing economic landscape of the country, which has an impact on the aspirations of the youth. These require high-quality human resources with an in-depth understanding of research and innovation methodologies and critical thinking abilities emphasising out-of-the-box thinking.
Capacity Building of Teachers for Quality Education
The most important factor in the success of Higher Educational Institutions is the quality and engagement of its faculty in imparting quality education. The NEP 2020 emphasizes the need for capacity building of teachers to develop innovative pedagogical concepts, strategies for teaching and assessments, and skills. The long-term objective is to develop a strong professional cadre of faculty to carry forward the mandate of providing quality higher education to learners.
Governance and Autonomy
Flexible, responsive and accountable good governance practices of HEIs contingent on society’s changing needs, global trends, and knowledge can be powerful tools in accelerating the quality of higher education. In the changing landscapes of higher education, institutions need to develop a strategic plan for taking new initiatives, assessing their progress, and achieving the goals set therein to remain relevant and responsive to the aspirations of our nation.
Accreditation and Excellence
Undergoing a formal accreditation process enables institutions to assess their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges through an informed review process. This encompasses meeting the quality standards in terms of curricular aspects, teaching-learning & evaluation, research, innovations & extension, infrastructure, student support, governance and best practices, amongst others. The NEP 2020 envisages moving towards the attainment of graded accreditation of all HEIs in a phased manner over a period of 15 years.
Equitable and Inclusive Education
NEP 2020 seeks to achieve equity and inclusion in higher education by giving all students equitable access to high-quality instruction with special emphasis on Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs). It is essential to provide a safe and stimulating learning environment to create empowered citizens who can contribute to the construction of an equitable and inclusive society. HEIs need to plan and implement targeted initiatives for improving the participation of SEDGs in higher education.
Promotion of Indian Languages and Indian Knowledge System
In order to provide learners with a sense of identity, belongingness, and an appreciation of other cultures and identities, cultural awareness and expression are essential contributors. The NEP 2020 also envisages promotion of Indian languages and rejuvenation of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) through a multipronged approach by integrating them with curricula at all levels. This would foster growth of languages, arts, culture, music, and crafts amongst others.
Internationalization of Education
Global awareness and interconnectedness through the internationalization of higher education significantly shape learners as global citizens. One of the critical areas which NEP 2020 emphasizes is the internationalization of the higher education system. The policy reinforces the need to establish research and academic collaborations with foreign institutions and, at the same time, strives for “internationalization at home”.