Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, inaugurated a two-day National Workshop on Higher and Technical Education, bringing together Secretaries of States/UTs, academicians, and education leaders to discuss transformative strategies for the sector. Minister of State for Education and Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, also participated in the event.

The workshop, held in the national capital, featured prominent attendees, including Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary of the Department of Higher Education; Shri Sunil Kumar Barnwal, Additional Secretary; Prof. M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of UGC; and other key officials.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Pradhan emphasized the critical role of education in enhancing the ease of living, boosting per capita income, and achieving national priorities outlined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0, he underscored the need for India to transition into a producing economy by developing globally competitive educational infrastructure.

The Minister outlined five strategic focus areas for academic leaders:

1. Strengthening public universities through innovative funding models.

2. Establishing think tanks to align curricula with industry demands and regional needs.

3. Adopting multidisciplinary research to address global challenges.

4. Promoting academic leadership development through state-central collaborations.

5. Reviving campus vibrancy through sports, arts, and cultural activities in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Shri Pradhan also stressed the importance of promoting Indian languages in education and called for collective efforts to position India as a global leader in the sector.

Dr. Sukanta Majumdar praised the NEP 2020 as a visionary roadmap to transform India into a global knowledge superpower. He urged states and UTs to fully adopt the policy, which emphasizes access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability. By implementing NEP 2020, he said, states could drive economic growth, foster innovation, and build a future-ready workforce.

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy provided insights into the 14 technical sessions planned for the workshop, addressing themes such as NEP 2020 implementation challenges, technology in education, digital governance, and financing higher education. He highlighted 20 new guidelines developed to guide universities in adopting NEP 2020.

The workshop aims to provide a collaborative platform to share strategies for implementing NEP 2020, fostering innovation, and ensuring inclusivity in higher education. The policy’s implementation is expected to drive economic growth, enhance global competitiveness, and create skilled workforces aligned with 21st-century challenges.

During the workshop, eminent panellists will delve into critical topics, including challenges in NEP 2020 implementation, leveraging technology, capacity building, and innovative financing models for higher education.