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NEP- 2020 will transform India into a ‘Vishwa Guru’ in education, says CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu

India’s education policies became student-centric in last nine years, students at CU discuss contours of NEP-2020 on the occasion on World Students’ Day 

NEP-2020 will make India a ‘global knowledge superpower’, says CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu

 Babushahi Bureau 

Mohali, October 5, 2023: India possessed a rich tradition of learning and education right from antiquity. As the land of scholars and learners, it remained a major centre for the scholars from all over the world and was widely regarded for its universities like Nalanda, Taxila and Vikramshila – considered as ‘Vishwa Guru’ in education during ancient times. 

The efforts to regain that legacy of being a ‘global knowledge hub’ got a new impetus under the present dispensation with the undertaking of several effective policy initiatives. The country’s education sector, which is among the largest in the world, has witnessed a paradigm shift in recent years. The government’s objective to effectively implement the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) will once again make India Vishwa Guru.

On the eve of World Student Day, which is marked on October 15 to honour the birthday of former Indian president, late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, an event was held at CU on Saturday under theme ‘Role of Education in Nation Building’ in which students of the different Indian states and various nations participated. CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu along addressed the students during the event. 

While discussing on the theme, the students said that the introduction of major policy changes aimed at complete overhaul is revolutionising India’s education sector.

 The CU students said that the shift in the teaching and learning processes is in line with the changing aspirations of the students – which is nurturing them effectively and making them future ready.

Chandigarh University has remained at the forefront of delivering high-quality education and research opportunities that contribute to knowledge creation and innovation – contributing to India’s aim of becoming a global knowledge superpower. 

The University is home to over 55000 students from almost all states and UTs of the country and over 1860 international students.

With the first National Education Policy (NEP) released in 2020 after 34 years, the government paved the way for major reforms in school education as well as higher education including technical education – which are underway with a set of targets and timeline. NEP is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower. 

Besides providing a holistic and Multidisciplinary Education with multiple entry/exit options for students and establishment of Academic Bank of Credit, it also thrust upon the emerging areas and employability. 

 A 77-year-old student, namely Soumitra, who is pursuing PhD (online mode) from Chandigarh University, said, “It is with the flexibility that is being promoted in higher education that I was able to continue my studies after many years and take admission in PhD. It was my dream come true.”

CU Chancellor Satnam Singh Sandhu, said that students are the driving force of our future. “The dreams and ambitions of the students shape the future of any nation. It is important that policies related to education sector are aligned with the aspirations of the students. The government brought NEP-2020 to make it easier for the students to pursue their dreams and contribute in nation building. The government is working relentlessly to make India a global knowledge hub with increased focus on innovation and research. NEP-2020 is set to transform India into a Vishwa Guru. 

He further said that NEP is aimed for a major overhaul of the education system in India and it is transforming India’s education landscape at an unprecedented level.

“The policy aims to increase the GER to 100% in preschool to secondary level by 2030 whereas GER in Higher Education including vocational education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035. It aims to Increase GER in higher education to 50%. Through NEP-2020 the government has set a target to turn all higher educational institutions into multidisciplinary institutions by 2030 and increase student enrolment to desired levels. Besides providing a great flexibility to students to pursue their career paths, NEP also promotes research and teaching collaborations and faculty and student exchanges with high-quality foreign institutions. Even foreign universities are now entering India which is a futuristic move to revolutionise the education sector in the country,” he said, adding that India’s rise in the education sector is acknowledged by the world and our institutions are ranked among the globe’s best.

Government’s efforts to attract more and more foreign students to India is well visible in the success of the ‘Study in India’ programme which was launched in 2018. It has branded India as an attractive education destination. The number of applications and online test takers to avail of the scholarships provided under the Study in India programme grew by 145.6% and 651.9% respectively, giving a major boost to the scheme, which otherwise was struggling to take off for the past three years. The number of countries from which students participated in the programme also grew significantly, from 12 in 2020-21 to 136 in 2021-22.

During the last nine years, a sharp rise was witnessed in the number of foreign nations coming to India for studies. Since 2014, around 53,700 students from various countries studied in Indian institutions. 

Yazan, who is from Syria pursuing a physiotherapy course at CU said, “India is becoming a hub for students from foreign countries due to changing policies which are attracting students to come here. The scholarships are provided and maximum students from other countries avail the benefit. It enables those to get quality education, who otherwise cannot afford it anywhere else.

Another CU student from Nepal, Binayak Mahatu, who is studying at the university under Study In India’ programme and is availing 100% scholarship, said, “The government of India has been making efforts to make it easier for the students of Asian countries to come to India to pursue education. The numerous scholarships provided to us helps in our education.”

Wisdom, an aerospace engineering student who is from Zambia, and is studying through a special assistance for African students under Study in India programme, said that Indian Space sector is a rapidly growing industry that is what motivated him to come to India for higher studies. “The world today acknowledges India’s quantum leap in India’s Space research. ISRO is continuously scaling new heights. The world saw the success launch of Chandrayaan-3 mission and the success of the mission as a proof of progress that the Indian space programme,” said Wisdom whose is being provided the scholarship amount of worth 3500 US dollars per annum. 

Hippolyte, a student from France, who is currently at CU, under a semester exchange programme, said, “If we see that higher education in European countries is not affordable for all, here in India it is very affordable. India’s changing education sector is scaling to new heights and is now recognised at global level. The increasing flexibility and the focus on more international collaborations are transforming the education sector here. The students from European countries are also very keen to study in India due to student-centric policies of the Indian government.

Another CU student, Nidup, who is from Bhutan, and is pursuing higher education through full scholarship of government of India, said that number of students from Asian countries in India has increased over the past years because of the flexible policies initiatives taken by the government. “Many students like me aspire to study in India because the education sector here is transforming and scaling new heights every passing year. The opportunities are also being provided by the government to study in India through scholarships which is very helpful in shaping the careers of thousands of students from India’s neighbouring countries.”

 A 77-year-old student, namely Soumitra, who is pursuing PhD in management (online mode) from Chandigarh University, said that it is with the flexibility that is being promoted in higher education that I was able to continue my studies after many years and take admission in PhD. “It was my dream come true. The education landscape in India is rapidly changing and the government’s vision is taking it to new heights. Our educational institutions now find the place among the world’s best and NEP is going to give our education system a further boost in coming years,” he said. 

Vikramjeet Singh, a student of University Institute of Science, at CU, said that NEP-2020 will open the new pathways for students to realise their dreams. He said, “India’s education system was the victim of rigidity but the NEP has brought great flexibility. The new policy which provides for a flexible curriculum allows students to design their education paths based on their interests and career goals by choosing their courses.”

He also said, “With the vision of our government, led by PM Modi, a student will be able to pursue two courses at the same time. The increased focus on interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches in education is going to be very beneficial for the students. The multidisciplinary approach also enables students to excel in rapidly changing fields.”