NEP 2020: UGC pens letter, asks institutions to implement curriculum reforms

The University Grants Commission (UGC) made an important declaration, directing all universities and their colleges to update their academic curricula immediately in terms of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The move is designed to bring higher education in alignment with the fast-changing needs of the 21st century.

According to the UGC, the updated curriculum must incorporate essential life skills and experiential learning opportunities to better equip students to face real-world challenges. The reforms are aimed at creating a more meaningful and practical academic experience, moving away from outdated methods and content-heavy frameworks that no longer serve the needs of the 21st-century learner.

In its advisory, the UGC has suggested drawing on a number of important national academic frameworks while carrying out curriculum revisions. These are the National Credit Framework (NCrF), the National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF), the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes, and so on, for postgraduate studies.

In addition, universities have been encouraged to incorporate short-term skills-based modules, industry-related internships, and apprenticeship-embedded degree programmes into their teaching.

The Commission has appealed to academics, teachers, and administrators to take charge and spearhead these reforms. It has also emphasised the need to interact with industry leaders to make higher education relevant and results-driven.

Through this directive, the UGC is making a determined move towards strengthening Indian higher education as a more vibrant, equitable, and student-centered system in line with NEP 2020 lofty aspirations.

The institutions are mandated to move in a timely manner and with attention to detail in implementing these enlightened changes.