Shillong, August 07: “Rise up and build” is the motto of NEHU, and ever since its inception, the University has been dedicated to serving the state of Meghalaya and the North-Eastern region.
The implementation of NEP 2020 has been a crucial goal for the University since 2020.A task force was formed by the Academic Council of the NEHU three years ago to work on implementing the policy.
The momentum to implement NEP2020 picked up when Prof. Prabha Shankar Shukla assumed the role of Vice-Chancellor. Under his leadership, the Implementation Committee was set up to develop the relevant curriculum structures.
The Standing Committee on Ordinances & Regulations has diligently guided various departments in formulating the ordinances and regulations. Relevant ordinances, regulations, and syllabi undergo a rigorous evaluation process, starting from the Board of Studies (BoS), which serves as the statutory body of each department. Subsequently, they progress through the School Board, the Academic Council, and finally, the Executive Council for approval.
The BoS of various departments,with an adequate representation from the respective University departments, external experts, and teachers from affiliated colleges, plays a vital role in the academic governance and curriculum development of the university.
The BoS is responsible for designing and updating the curriculum for various academic programs, ensuring they stay current with the latest developments in the respective fields and adhere to the educational standards set by regulatory bodies. This ensures that students receive an up-to-date and valuable education. Once the syllabi are finalized by the BoS, they are forwarded to the School Board.
The School Board of the specific School reviews and approves these academic documents.It is responsible for overseeing the academic programs and courses offered within its designated schoolin strict accordance with the academic standards set by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and other regulatory bodies.
The School Board conducts comprehensive discussions among its members, including all the Professors of the School, external experts from other institutions/universities, and teacher representatives from affiliated colleges.
This inclusive approach allows for diverse perspectives, leading to well-informed decisions. After these meticulous deliberations, the syllabi and related regulations are forwarded to the Academic Council for further consideration and approval.
The approved syllabi of the four-year undergraduate (FYUG) programme by the BoS and School board under NEP2020 were duly forwarded to the Academic Council for approval.
The Academic Council of NEHU plays a key role in aligning the university’s curriculum with the guidelines laid out in NEP 2020. This encompassesthe formulation of new ordinances and regulations, as well as the revision and introduction of courses and programs.
In its 110thAcademic Council meeting, the University passed the ordinances, regulations, and syllabi of the FYUG programme in accordance with the NEP2020. Subsequently, in the 187th meeting of the Executive Council, it was decided to implement the FYUP syllabi from the academic session 2023-24.
Following this decision, a joint meeting was held between the Principals of affiliated collegesand NEHU officials on 21st July 2023,in which all the Principals in attendance expressed their agreement to implement the FYUP syllabi from the current academic session starting from 1st August 2023.
The implementation of the NEP 2020 in the state of Meghalaya marks a significant step towards transforming the education landscape. This transformative policy aims to revolutionize education in the state by fostering holistic development, critical thinking, and employability among students.
By encouraging interdisciplinary learning and providing a flexible curriculum, the NEP 2020 promotes creativity and empowers learners to shape their educational journey according to their interests and career aspirations. Additionally, the policy prioritizes skill development through the integration of skill-based courses and internships, ensuring that students are well-equipped for the 21st-century job market.
Without these reforms, students of the state might face limitations in exploring various disciplines and acquiring relevant skills, leading to a potential gap between their abilities and market demands. The implementation of NEP-2020 in the FYUP syllabi from the academic session 2023-24 stands as a beacon of hope for the young minds of Meghalaya.
There will inevitably be challenges in the beginning, but the University, along withits stakeholders is determined to forge ahead for the benefit of the students of the state. However, any further delay in implementing the policy could lead to irreparable damage.
Students will lag behind a year,and those graduating in 2026 may face ineligibility for admissions to higher studies in other Central Universities, as they are now aligned with the NEP 2020. Since NEHU is also a central university bound by the rules and regulations of the Central Government, it must follow suit, and the non-implementation of NEP 2020 could potentially affect students’ eligibility for admission into NEHU as well.
Also, the non-implementation of NEP2020 may put constraintson the affiliating colleges to mobilize adequate resources from the Central Pool. Therefore, it is crucial to act promptly and embrace the policy to avoid adverse consequences and ensure our students’ educational prospects remain competitive.
The Vice-Chancellor of NEHU earnestly appeals to all the stakeholders to work together with the University, colleges,students, and the state governmentto collaborate closely and ensure a seamless implementation of NEP 2020from this academic session 2023-24,thereby safeguarding our students’ future.
During this transitional period, NEHU is fully committed to extending comprehensive academic support to the affiliated colleges. The Vice-Chancellor calls upon all stakeholders to proactively participate and contribute to the successful realization of NEP 2020’s objectives. Working together, we can create an environment where our students thrive and flourish under the transformative vision of this policy to rise up and build together.
