Special lecture on ‘Minor Degree in Universal Human Values’

Chandigarh, March 27, 2023: Today a special lecture was organized in Panjab University on ‘Minor Degree in Universal Human Values’ keeping in view the core objective of New Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) that targets achieving full human potential, developing an equitable society, and promoting national development through education.  The lecture was delivered by Prof. Rajneesh Arora, Chairman NCC-IP (AICTE) and member of the working group of AICTE on Universal Human Values. Prof. Arora is MD, Amritsar Group of Colleges and is former Vice Chancellor, Punjab Technical University. The function was presided over by Prof. Renu Vig, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Prof. Sanjay Kaushik (Dean of Colleges Development Council), Prof. Y. P Verma (Registrar, PU) along with the head of institutions, the faculty members of Panjab University, affiliated colleges of Panjab University and CRIKC Institutes attended the lecture.

Prof. Rajneesh Arora apprised the participants that AICTE has formed a National Coordination Committee for student induction (NCC-IP) to prepare newly admitted undergraduate students for the new stage in their life by facilitating a smooth transition from their home and school environment into the college and university environment. AICTE with the help of Industry-Academia experts, has framed the curriculum for Minor Degree in Universal Human Values (UHV) to develop teachers, parents and policy makers of tomorrow who will have a humane worldview along with technical skills. UGC has already framed the guidelines on ‘Mulya Pravah- Inculcation of Human Values and Professional Ethics in Higher Education Institutions.’ 

Prof. Renu Vig, Honourable Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University specified that the varsity  intends to initiate a transformation towards holistic and value-based education in accordance with the aspirations articulated in NEP 2020 so that the University incessantly produces socially responsible and well-rounded graduates with world-class skills. She highlighted that the NEP 2020 gives a clarion call to make the important and urgently required effort for nurturing students to their full human potential, so they can contribute to the development of an equitable and just society and promote national development. Prof. Vig further shared that this minor degree course will facilitate developing sufficient number of teachers to impart value-based education right from primary to higher education across the country. It will have a direct impact on desirable, common graduate attributes, enhancing employability in the area of the major degree. Further, in the present state of increasing problems of human-human conflict, global warming and climate change, the minor degree in UHV will help prepare the urgently required technical professionals for sustainable and value-based living, it will carry 18 to 20 credits in addition to the credits essential for obtaining the under-graduate Degree in a major discipline (i.e. 163 credits usually).