Transforming Higher Education: Bridging Academics, Skills, and Innovation in the NEP Era

• 01 Dec 2024

Transforming Higher Education: Bridging Academics, Skills, and Innovation in the NEP Era

 

In recent years, higher education in India has seen significant reforms under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Some key initiatives include the introduction of the National Credit Framework (NCrF), online education, dual degrees, internationalisation of higher education, biannual admissions, off-campus centres, research enhancement, Professor of Practice, and frameworks such as the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). These reforms aim to expand access to quality education while maintaining high standards.

 

Many universities and colleges have revamped their undergraduate and postgraduate programs, offering courses with Honours, Minors, and additional electives, along with internships or industrial training, creative arts exposure, and a focus on outcome-based education. To facilitate student mobility and ensure access to academic credentials, the establishment of an Academic Bank of Credit has been a significant development. Additionally, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has proposed draft guidelines for introducing Apprentice-Embedded Degrees. Many institutions are also running systematic training sessions focused on interview etiquette to enhance students' employment readiness or prepare them for research careers.

 

Skill Development

 

Despite these efforts, a substantial number of graduates find themselves unemployed, underemployed, or in jobs unrelated to their field of study. To address this, a more balanced approach is needed—one that emphasizes not only academic achievement but also the cultivation of moral values, ethics, and essential skills such as teamwork, planning, time management, public speaking, negotiation, conflict resolution, empathy, and decision-making. Incorporating these skills into the curriculum, with appropriate credit allocation, can benefit students. Furthermore, as AI-mediated learning becomes more widespread, the use of AI, Machine Learning, and Data Science should be promoted. This would allow students to focus on higher-level tasks like analysis, interpretation, and recommendations, instead of spending time acquiring basic knowledge.

 

In the past, the Information Resource Centre, or library, was considered the brain of academic institutions. Today, with the rise of digital libraries and global access to books and journals, this facility is often underutilized. Gone are the days when students spent a significant portion of their time in the library. It is now crucial for scholars, particularly young faculty, to reinvigorate the habit of spending quality time in resource centers for research and intellectual growth.

 

Previously, higher education institutions offered skill-based training during vacation periods. Today, polytechnic institutions provide diploma and certificate programs that help students secure employment. However, there is a need for more extensive skill-based training across all disciplines at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Such training should be designed in a way that complements academic exploration, ensuring that students have equal opportunities to engage with both academic subjects and skill development through structured training programs and industry exposure.

 

To prepare students for the future, there is an urgent need to recalibrate learning ecosystems. This requires reimagining educational environments that align with changing sociological and technological trends. By exploring new areas of learning and offering transformational experiences, higher education can help shape the future of students in a way that is just, sustainable, and in tune with the demands of an evolving global landscape.