National Symposium on NEP andEd NAAC Accreditation Unites Himachal Colleges... Experts come on board for making the NEP a movement by getting the NAAC tag..
SHIMLA: Educators from across the country came on board here for making the new education policy a game-changer in various colleges mainly the NAAC accredited institutions undet Shimla cluster in Himachal Pradesh.
They gathered on June 11, 2024 for a landmark National Symposium on NAAC Accreditation and the National Education Policy (NEP) at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Government College, Sunni, jointly organized with Government College Chail Koti.
This gathering, a first for rural background colleges, brought together experts, principals, and educators to discuss integrating the NEP with NAAC-accredited institutions in Himachal Pradesh. They also participated in a virtual mode to clinch the motive of the symposium.
Dr. Ramlal Sharma, Principal of ABV G.C. Sunni, opened the symposium, emphasizing the transformative potential of NEP-2020.
He highlighted its vision for a holistic, flexible, and multidisciplinary education system tailored to 21st-century needs. However, he acknowledged the significant challenges in implementing NEP in higher education, stressing the need for strategic planning.
Expert Insights on NEP Implementation
Keynote speaker Prof. Sunil Gupta, former Vice-Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University and ex-chairperson of the HP State Higher Education Council, addressed these challenges. He called for coordinated efforts from the government, universities, educational institutions, and civil society.
Gupta underscored the crucial role of NAAC accreditation in maintaining quality standards in higher education institutions (HEIs) and aligning them with NEP goals, such as promoting multidisciplinary education, research, and inclusivity.
Prof. Neeru Snehi from NIEPA, Delhi, joined online to share her expertise on education policies. She provided insights into overcoming NEP implementation challenges, stressing the need for alignment between NEP objectives and the accreditation process.
Panel Discussion on NEP and Accreditation**
The afternoon session featured a panel discussion with diverse stakeholders. Prof. Harish Thakur from HPU's Political Science Department outlined the university's stance on NEP implementation.
Dr. Gopal Sanghaik and Dr. Maneesha Kohli, OSDs from the Directorate of Higher Education, discussed government plans and preparedness for NEP and NAAC accreditation.
Sanghaik highlighted the role of lead colleges in facilitating the accreditation process for smaller institutions, while Kohli detailed the government's request for universities to develop NEP-compliant syllabi.
Representing the teaching community, Dr. Dharmender Mehta focused on UGC Regulation-2018 and its implications for teachers, emphasizing its role in boosting morale and readiness for NEP and accreditation. Dr. Davinder from G.C. Chail Koti discussed the Indianisation of education in light of NEP.
Participation and Collaboration
The symposium saw active participation from about 60 attendees and 50 principals connected online.
Notable attendees included Prof. Molly Abrahim from St. Bede’s, Dr. Pankaj Basotia from G.C. Rampur, Dr. Rajesh Dhorta from Kumarsain, Dr. Subhash Kapta (symposium coordinator), Dr. Anupama (IQAC Coordinator, St. Bede’s), and Dr. Vinay Mohan from G.C. Theog. Despite the scorching 40-degree heat, participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.
Dr. Deep Shikha Bhardwaj, Principal of G.C. Chail Koti, concluded the event with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude for the collective effort in addressing NEP and NAAC challenges.
This symposium marks a significant step towards enhancing the quality and alignment of higher education in Himachal Pradesh.
