Punjab Raj Bhavan organises VC Conference on NEP 2020

In his inaugural address, Kataria stressed the importance of a balanced educational framework that honours India's rich cultural heritage while equipping students with contemporary skills.

"Education must create harmony between our time-honored traditions and today's technological advancements," he said, highlighting how this approach fosters well-rounded individuals grounded in both cultural values and modern competencies.

The Punjab Governor commended state's education system, noting its high standards and progress compared to some other states.

He emphasised that NEP 2020 offers a valuable framework to further enhance educational outcomes, encouraging institutions to integrate talent recognition, language inclusivity, and rigorous teacher selection into their approach.

"Punjab must continue its education leadership by supporting a system that celebrates individual talents, bridges language gaps, and ensures institutional growth," the Governor stated.

A key focus was on implementing NEP's talent-based learning approach to support each student's unique strengths. "Education must nurture students' individual abilities, allowing them to excel in areas where they show potential," he noted, urging educational institutions to create personalized learning pathways.

The Governor also highlighted the importance of regional language inclusion in university curricula, easing transitions for students moving from regional-language schools to higher education. "Integrating regional languages into our syllabi will empower students to thrive in higher education without facing language barriers," he said, stressing the need for an inclusive academic environment.

Addressing quality in teaching, the Governor emphasised a rigorous teacher selection process strictly as per UGC guidelines and called for strict anti-paper leakage measures to safeguard the integrity of education system in the country. He also advocated for increased support for environment and sports for building healthy future generations.

The Governor further said that achieving the ambitious targets of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by 2035 requires a unified and collaborative effort from all stakeholders, including government bodies, educational institutions, educators, students, parents, and the private sector.

Education Minister, Punjab Harjot Singh Bains, shared Punjab's progress in educational reforms, noting improved infrastructure facilities, enhanced teacher training, and rising student achievements as aligning with NEP objectives. He stressed upon the need to focus on research and employment based education with 100 percent placement targets.

Prof Ved Prakash, former Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), spoke on the internationalization of higher education, emphasizing the need for global partnerships and robust research to elevate Indian institutions.

Prof Ganesan Kannabiran, Director of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), delivered a session on recent advancements in NAAC accreditation, underscoring transparency and digital innovation in the process.

Additionally, Dr Avichal Kapoor, Joint Secretary of the UGC, outlined the student-centered approach of NEP 2020, focusing on inclusivity and skill development.

The conference fostered collaboration on NEP 2020's potential to elevate Punjab's education sector, positioning the state as a leader in India's educational transformation. Kataria expressed optimism that these collective efforts would empower Punjab to set benchmarks in educational excellence and inclusive growth.

Following the inaugural session, a round-table discussion was held with experts and the Vice Chancellors and Directors of all public and private universities and institutes across Punjab. Each Vice Chancellor and Director contributed insights on implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) and highlighted key achievements of their respective universities and institutes. (ANI)