The Intellectual Forum of North East (IFNE) in collaboration with IIT Guwahati organized a one-day symposium on the Draft National Education Policy (NEP) 2019.
The symposium aimed to discuss and analyze the various aspects of the policy. The first technical session featured notable speakers who shared their insights on different aspects of the draft policy.
Professor Hemanta Kumar Baruah, the former Vice Chancellor of Bodoland University, began the session by stating that education is a powerful tool for bringing about positive change in the world. Following him, Professor S. P. Singh, the Vice- Chancellor of Royal Global University, shed light on the role of the private sector in education in India. He discussed the key points as a keynote speaker during the symposium.
Professor Nani Gopal Mahanta, the Registrar of Gauhati University, focused his speech on the importance of the Draft NEP 2019. He highlighted that the new policy aimed to address the challenges of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability in the current education system.
Professor Polly Vauquline, an Associate Professor in Women’s Studies at Gauhati University, shared her views on how the Draft NEP 2019 facilitates women in the education sector. She presented her perspective on the policy’s provisions concerning gender equality and empowerment of women in education.
Dr. Dayanand Borgohain, the Chairman of Assam Higher Secondary Education Council, discussed the probable implications of the Draft NEP 2019 on primary education. He elaborated on how the policy could impact the foundational level of education.
In the special session, Professor Sunil Khijwania, the Head of CET at IIT Guwahati, delivered the opening speech and provided an introduction to the program from CESME (Center for Educational Development of Minorities and Marginalized Sections), PMMMNMTT (Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching), IITG.
Dr. Gargi Saikia introduced the Intellectual Forum of North East (IFNE) and discussed its aims, objectives, and the accomplishments it had achieved until that date.
The main speaker of the special session was the Honorable Governor of Assam, Professor Jagdish Mukhi. He emphasized that education is crucial for the progress of the country and mentioned that the Draft NEP 2019 aimed to establish sustainable equity and vibrant knowledge in India.
Professor T. G. Sitharam, the Director of IIT Guwahati, highlighted the major policy proposals of the Draft NEP 2019. He mentioned initiatives for promoting internationalization of higher education, strengthening quality open and distance learning, and integrating technology at all levels of education as key points of the policy.
During the second technical session, Dr. Dulumoni Goswami from the Education Department of Gauhati University expressed her opinion on the National Education Policy (NEP). She highlighted that the NEP aims to bring a liberal approach to education, moving away from the sole focus on scoring marks. According to Dr. Goswami, the policy intends to support students in their holistic development, encompassing physical, mental, and spiritual aspects.
Dr. Bhibash Ch. Nath, the Vice President of Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal, shared his perspective on the NEP. He believed that the policy would equip children with the necessary qualities to contribute to India’s social, political, and economic development. Dr. Nath emphasized that the NEP intends to prepare students to become active and responsible citizens who can make a positive impact on various spheres of the country.
Dr. Atul Bora, the Director of Technical Education in the Government of Assam, presented his view on the NEP. He stated that the policy ensures a quality of life while also addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainable development goals. Dr. Bora emphasized the importance of balancing economic progress with environmental sustainability, ensuring that education plays a role in shaping a sustainable future.
