Central University of Punjab organized Webinar on ‘Indian Knowledge System and NEP- 2020’
Bathinda: The IQAC Cell of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) organized a Webinar on “Indian Knowledge System and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020”. On this occasion, Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan, Vice Chairman, UGC, was the keynote speaker.
The programme commenced with the Welcome Address by Prof. S.K. Bawa, Director IQAC. She introduced the keynote speaker and put a light on the topic of the Webinar. She informed that under the patronage of Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, the university is conducting 9th Webinar on NEP-2020 under the Webinar Series on NEP-2020.
Keynote speaker Prof. Bhushan Patwardhan in his thought-provoking lecture talked about Re-imagining Indian Universities by learning from the glorious past. He referred to Swami Vivekananda Ideology that education is the single most important instrument for bringing social and economic transformation and mentioned that NEP-2020 is truly a Bharat-centric policy that recognises the values of our culture and Indian Knowledge Traditions. He discussed the three different types of basic objectives of education i.e. Academic Objectives, Moral & Spiritual Values, and Social Sensitivity, and emphasized that the true purpose of education will be realised when we give importance to all the three types in our education system.
He pointed out that India has a great history with the rich cultural heritage of over thousands of years and we should look it from a larger perspective. He shared that the Indian knowledge system has given us the best educational system of ancient times in the form of ashram system, gurukula system and world-famous Takshshila and Nalanda Universities, which produced Chanakya, Kautilya, Charak and other famous ancient scholars. He stated that our ancient Indian Education System based on the pedagogy of Question & Answers is aimed at developing curiosity, creativity and critical thinking in the mind of the learner, and asserted that we need to include this methodology in our modern educational system. He cited reference of different levels of teachers of Ancient Education System which range from knowledge disseminators, to skill providers, and to the highest level named as ‘Guru’ who awakens our wisdom and emphasized that teachers of today should constantly strive to improve their skills.
During his lecture, Prof. Patwardhan dwell about the role of technology in future education. He opined that education in future will be technology-enabled, blended, cross-institutional, cross-cultural, and lifelong where more emphasis will be given to the emotional quotient and cultural quotient than merely on intelligent quotient. He discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence, Augmented Reality, and Online Learning Management Platforms like MOOCs in maximizing the power of digital learning and informed that the technological revolution has made it possible to impart education in any discipline in mother tongue language. Towards the end, he stated that future universities have to adopt technological changes and impart education based on the ethos of Ancient Indian Education System to develop highly intellectual & responsible citizens who can contribute towards the development of the nation.
Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari complemented the keynote speaker for enlightening the participants on all aspects of Indian Knowledge System. He stated that Indian Knowledge System is not only limited to the Education System rather it covers all aspects of life & guides us to live in harmony with nature by taking care of each other. He appreciated Prof. Patwardhan for making a valuable contribution in introducing innovative reforms in the present education system and assured him that CUPB will implement all imperatives of NEP-2020 by providing inclusive education and wider opportunities to learn to our students.
Towards the end, Shri Kanwal Pal Singh Mundra, the Registrar gave the formal vote of thanks. This Webinar was attended by faculty, administrators, and students of the university.