PANJIM: Representatives from various educational institutions converged to present the progress made in the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) in the State.
The panel included Prof B K Mishra, Director of IIT Goa; Dr Neelakandan, NEP 2020 Coordinator at IIT Goa; Prof O R Jaiswal, Director of NIT Goa and Dr Damodar Reddy, NEP 2020 Coordinator at NIT Goa, C S Murthy, Regional Director of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Maharashtra and Goa, Ravi Pratap Singh, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya – INS Mandovi and Animesh Pal, Principal of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Canacona.
The panel showcased the collective dedication of educational institutions in the State towards successful NEP 2020 implementation. These initiatives aim to create a transformative impact on education, empowering students with holistic development and inclusive learning opportunities.
Prof Mishra presented the initiatives undertaken by IIT Goa, which included the establishment of the School of Inter-Disciplinary Life Sciences (SILS). This academic unit focuses on critical domains like cancer biology, vaccine development, drug discovery, and pandemic modelling. The institute’s visionary approach also includes mechanical modelling of cells, harnessing biomimetic knowledge to revolutionize structural design elements.
The Internship Policy at IIT Goa has been instrumental in nurturing students’ industry-oriented problem-solving skills during their final year. The institute has also fostered international collaborations with foreign universities, enriching postgraduate students’ thesis work and encouraging cross-border research opportunities.
Noteworthy initiatives such as the “Learning to Achieve Multi-disciplinary Perspectives (LAMP)” and “Technology and Society Learning (TASLe)” courses empower students to develop problem-solving abilities and address regional developmental challenges effectively.
Prof Jaiswal emphasised the institute’s steadfast commitment to NEP 2020 implementation, beginning from the academic year 2023-24. The institute has introduced Minor programmes in specialised branches like Computer Science and Engineering, Electronics and Communication Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, and Computational Mathematics, which broaden students’ knowledge domain and enhance employability.
NIT Goa’s integration of the Indian Knowledge System was also highlighted, with courses like ‘Health and Happiness’, ‘Yoga’, ‘Vedic Mathematic’, ‘Science and Technology in Vedic Literature’ and ‘Professional Ethics and Human Values.’ The institute’s focus on flexible and inter-disciplinary learning offers students the freedom to choose electives and open courses, fostering holistic education.
