Shimla, March 28:
Alakh Prakash Goyal Shimla University on Saturday hosted a one-day academic conclave on “NEP 2020 in Practice: Challenges and Opportunities for Higher Education”, bringing together academicians, researchers and students to decode the ground realities of the new policy.
Organised in collaboration with Government P.G. College Solan and Rajiv Gandhi Government College Chaura Maidan, the event focused on how the National Education Policy 2020 is shaping higher education institutions.
Vice Chancellor Prof. R. S. Chauhan, in his inaugural address, announced that the university has adopted NEP 2020 from the 2025–26 academic session. Calling it a “transformative shift,” he said the policy promotes multidisciplinary learning, flexible curricula and skill-based education aimed at producing industry-ready graduates.
Registrar Prof. R. L. Sharma flagged main implementation hurdles, including curriculum restructuring, faculty training and infrastructure gaps, stressing the need for sustained academic reforms.
Dean Academics Prof. Anand Mohan elaborated on the policy’s vision, highlighting its push for holistic education, research orientation and integration of vocational training into mainstream academics.
The conclave also saw participation from noted academicians including Dr. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Vinod Kumar, Dr. Maneesha Kohli and Dr. Deepak Gupta, who underlined the need for institutional collaboration to make NEP implementation effective.
A panel discussion involving senior faculty delved into institutional preparedness and innovation opportunities, with speakers emphasising faculty development, academic flexibility and stronger industry-academia linkages as key to success.
More than 100 participants from colleges across Shimla and Solan, including Government College Sanjauli, took part in the deliberations.
The event concluded with a valedictory session and certificate distribution, with speakers calling for coordinated efforts and strategic planning to strengthen higher education in line with NEP 2020.
