CU Punjab organises interaction session with Secretary of Department of Higher Education and 12 Leading Higher Education Institutions of Punjab

Bathinda, October 27, 2024:  On the second day of Shri K. Sanjay Murthy's visit to the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), a roundtable interaction session was organised at the university, bringing together the Secretary of the Department of Higher Education and representatives from 12 leading Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the region. The session aimed to develop a roadmap for the effective implementation of NEP-2020 across Punjab's HEIs.

Alongside CU Punjab, the 12 Participating institutions included AIIMS, Bathinda; NIT, Jalandhar; Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala; Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), Ludhiana; SLIET, Longowal; MRS-PTU, Bathinda; Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot; Adesh University, Bathinda; Baba Farid Group of Institutions, Bathinda; Akal University, Talwandi Sabo; Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo; and SSD Girld College, Bathinda. 

Opening the session, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor of CU Punjab, welcomed the participating HEIs and introduced them to Chief Guest K. Sanjay Murthy. He highlighted the progress of NEP-2020 implementation at CU Punjab and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering academic and research collaborations. Prof. Tiwari highlighted that many participating HEIs are members of the Consortium of Higher Educational Institutions of Bathinda Region, established in May 2023. Representatives from the attending HEIs then shared their best practices, discussing challenges related to multidisciplinary education, resource efficiency, curriculum flexibility, and industrial partnerships.

K. Sanjay Murthy, addressing the concerns of participating HEIs, highlighted the importance of implementing key NEP-2020 components. These include LOCF-based multidisciplinary education, the Academic Bank of Credits, flexible entry and exit options, credit transfers through MOOCs, dual degree and experiential learning. He stressed that these measures are vital for providing students with diverse learning and skills beyond their primary fields of study.

Murthy cited the dual degree programs introduced by NIT Jalandhar for B.Tech students and the joint degree/diploma programs launched by Central University of Punjab in collaboration with AIIMS Bathinda in AI and Healthcare, as well as in Intellectual Property Rights with MRS-PTU Bathinda, and leveraging Academic bank of Credit and Multiple Entry Exit facilities to the learners of CU Punjab as exemplary models for enhancing student competencies. Additionally, he highlighted the significance of MOOCs available on the SWAYAM Plus platform, which allow learners to gain expertise from top educators across the country. Furthermore, he encouraged HEIs to create their own MOOCs to bolster their digital presence and enhance their reputation.

Murthy also referenced IIT Bombay’s successful Open Class initiative as a model for HEIs to adopt, promoting knowledge sharing among institutions and civil society. He stressed the need to improve online educational resources to facilitate flip learning and innovative teaching pedagogies that foster active classroom discussions.

Further highlighting opportunities from the Ministry of Education, Shri Murthy urged HEIs to nominate senior faculty for the Leadership Training Programme at leading management schools to enhance human resource efficiency. He recommended that central universities should develop specialized courses aimed at upskilling STEM teachers. In his closing remarks, he urged all HEIs to participate in national and international rankings, expressing confidence in Punjab’s potential to improve its academic standing and represent India on the global stage.

Prominent attendees at the session included Prof. Jai S. Singh, Vice-Chancellor, RGNUL Patiala; Sh. Gurmeet Dhaliwal, Managing Director, BFGI Bathinda; Dr. Harmeet Singh, Professor of Agronomy, PAU Ludhiana; Prof. Sandeep Kansal, Vice-Chancellor, MRS-PTU Bathinda; Prof. Deepak John Bhatti, Dean (College & Development), BFUHS Faridkot; Prof. Akhilesh Pathak, Dean Academics, AIIMS Bathinda; Prof. R.G. Saini, Dean PG Studies & Research, Adesh University Bathinda; Maj Gen (Dr.) G.S. Lamba, Dean Academics, Akal University Talwandi Sabo; Prof. Raman Bedi, Dean Academics, NIT Jalandhar; Prof. A.S. Shahi, Dean Academics, SLIET Longowal; and Dr. Pomy Bansal, SSD Girls College Bathinda.

Towards the end, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari expressed heartfelt gratitude to K. Sanjay Murthy for his insightful guidance and encouragement throughout the discussions. Prof. Tiwari highlighted the significance of the interactions and shared insights that emerged during the session, underscoring their potential to shape the future of education in the region. Prof. Tiwari concluded by thanking everyone for their participation and enthusiasm, which contributed to the success of the event and laid the groundwork for future collaborations.