WEBINAR BY PU ON NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY-2020: A ROADMAP FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION

Chandigarh, sunitashastri: A webinar was organised today by The Department of History in collaboration with University Institute of Engineering and Technology on behalf of Panjab University, Chandigarh on “National Education Policy-2020: A Roadmap For Its Implementation”. The distinguished speaker, Professor Bhushan Patwardhan, Honourable ViceChairman, UGC, at the very outset appreciated the efforts of PU under leadership of its Vice Chancellor, Professor Raj Kumar to have stood firm like a rock in the testing times and delivered excellence in various domains. Delving on National Education Policy, 2020, he remarked that the policy is well-read and he aims to discuss its spirit in making Bharat a hub of knowledge. The fundamentals of traditional Indian education system/model were emphasised so as to overcome mono-cultural dominance and adapt a student centric model. He elaborated on the fact that technology must come to the aid of the teacher as has been envisaged in NEP-2020 but also cautioned that the teacher shall remain at the centre. The blend of Kula-Guru and Guru-Kula was emphasised by him. He perceives a beautiful collaboration in the education system in which ideals of Gurukula will fuse with the education system. He clarified that the knowledge in Gurukula, signifies the dissemination of knowledge in a holistic way and is not suggestive of retiring to the forests. The importance of imparting education in vernacular was highlighted by the distinguished speaker who believes that mother tongue is the best medium to learn and communicate ideas. Even modern technology is trying to overcome this barrier of language to ensure that one can learn and impart knowledge in one’s mother-tongue.Professor Raj Kumar, Vice-Chancellor in his inaugural speech underlined the achievements of Panjab University during the time of present pandemic. PU has been able to convert the challenge into the academic opportunity and held more than 400 webinars during this time. He apprised the speaker of the scientists of PU who have been working hard to offer dozens of expertise, consultancy and products to fight Covid-19. He articulated the objectives of education reforms and expressed his keenness to make all possible efforts to educate the teaching fraternity about the new education policy, so that the same may be implemented in its true spirit. The Dean Research, Professor V. R. Sinha, extended his best wishes for the webinar which he said shall help PU scholars in understanding the processes of implementation of the NEP-2020. Earlier, Professor Anju Suri, Chairperson, Department of History in her welcome address,expounding on the theme of the Webinar, said that the National Education Policy, 2020 aims at bringing substantial changes in the entire education system for enhancing the learning abilities of the pupils while keeping alive the traditional value system.The speaker interacted with the audience to ensure multi-disciplinary and trans-disciplinary approach towards education as enshrined in NEP-2020. Professor Savita Gupta, Director, University Institute of Engineering and Technology, Panjab University, Chandigarh proposed the formal vote of thanks to the participants.