NIT Rourkela is working steadily to meet the objectives of NEP-2020: Director Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao
Rourkela: NIT Rourkela has embraced the NEP 2020 this year and is working steadily to meet its objectives as proposed by Ministry of Education, Govt. of India. Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, Director NIT Rourkela briefed media through a conference at the NIT Rourkela campus today.
Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao spoke about the implementation of NEP 2020 in NIT Rourkela and said – “the Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam from 29th – 30th July 2023 at New Delhi is a 2-day event to commemorate the 3rd Anniversary of New Education Policy that has ushered a new hope with paradigm shift in the Indian Education System. Additionally, he said – “Previously, the curriculum was a teacher-driven system which focused on the subjects selected by teachers; students had a no little choice to choose the subjects. The implementation of NEP will enable a learner-centric system where students will be allowed to choose subjects of their choice.”
Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao noted that the 2020 education policy has recognized the importance of holistic development and fostering a well-rounded education. It has encouraged the integration of co-curricular activities and vocational training, nurturing students’ physical, emotional, and intellectual growth and introducing project-oriented courses, skill-based and related to industries. He informed that the Institute had revised the curriculum and syllabus of upcoming undergraduate and postgraduate programs in accordance with National Education Policy 2020. The institute will also propose a transdisciplinary course system on the basis of CGPA. By transdisciplinary course, it means different streams. He also said – “Students should have more industry skills and learn about working in teams, which is needed in the current phase of industrialisation. Under this scheme, It will be allowed for students to have multiple exit and entry options, and at each exit, they will be credited with their earned credit according to the course and also with proper certification at that level of exit. The maximum period to complete a 4 year UG program is 8 years.”
The total credit needed to get a B.Tech degree is 160 to 170, but if they have earned more credit, they will be offered a B.tech. Honours degree. One can also earn credit through online courses like NPTEL, Swayam, and other online
teaching platforms, according to the course. Moreover, the extracurricular activities will also carry some credits, including tech society activities,dance music, art, culture, and many more.
NIT-Rourkela has taken various measures in recognition of the significance of international exposure, collaboration, and exchange in augmenting the quality of education, fostering research and innovation, and preparing students for global challenges. One can opt for their final year degree at other institutes like IIT Hyderabad as well as IIT Bhubaneswar, as NIT Rourkela has signed an MoU with them. Without an MoU between institutions, student exchange is not allowed within NITs or IITs.
Director, NIT Rourkela, Prof. K. Umamaheshwar Rao, said – “the implementation of NEP for the admission batches of 2020, 2021, and 2022 will be implemented phase-wise.”
However, the journey toward achieving the policy’s vision is ongoing and requires sustained commitment and collaboration. Prof. Umamaheshwar Rao stated that, as a key stakeholder, NIT Rourkela is completely committed to building upon the achievements of NEP-2020 and working towards an accessible, creative, and globally competitive education system that enables each student at the Institute to realise their full potential. The Institute is excited to exhibit its accomplishments at the upcoming Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam event in New Delhi on July 29th and 30th, 2023, where he will sign another MoUs with NIT Raipur and National Centre for medium range weather forecasting to commemorate the third anniversary of NEP-2020, he added.
Prof. Snehashish Chakraverty, Dean Academic, attended the press conference along with Prof. Rohan Dhiman, Registrar and Prof. Himanshu Bhusan Sahu, PPRC Chairman.