IIT Guwahati Implementing NEP in Phases: Official

In line with the National Education Policy, 2020, the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati (IITG), is progressively implementing measures to promote comprehensive learning and foster student innovation, as stated by an official from the institute on Monday. The primary objective of this premier institute is to provide abundant opportunities for the holistic development of its students while striving to achieve the targets set under the NEP-2020 framework, according to Prof Parameswar K Iyer, IITG's Officiating Director, during a press conference.

Prof Iyer highlighted that the NEP-2020 lays the foundation for several forward-looking goals, intended to foster academic and research excellence in higher education institutions. The policy aims to create a skilled and conscious workforce capable of identifying and resolving national issues for sustainable growth.

The implementation of NEP-2020 is being carried out in phases to ensure the incorporation of best practices into the curriculum efficiently, added Iyer. IITG has already initiated various programs in accordance with the policy, such as establishing multidisciplinary academic centers and schools to ensure the delivery of quality education to all. The focus is on training professionals in emerging cutting-edge areas, which are gaining prominence in various sectors.

Iyer also mentioned the flexibility of the institute's curriculum, allowing undergraduate students to spend a full semester in industries or research laboratories for internships or project work. Likewise, post-graduate students have the option for internships, and there are initiatives in place to introduce techno-entrepreneurship and small business development programs to encourage entrepreneurial activities among students.

Prof Gautam Barua, Director of Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Guwahati, expressed that the vision and provisions of the NEP are comprehensive and vast, and they expect all its provisions to be fully operationalized by 2040.

The press conference, jointly conducted by IITG and IIITG, preceded the third anniversary of NEP-2020, which will be celebrated on July 29. On this occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the second Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam in New Delhi, coinciding with the policy's anniversary.