Jammu and Kashmir: SKUAST-K holds seminar on implementation of NEP-20 in agricultural institutions

Vice-Chancellor, GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, ProfTej Pratap, and Vice-Chancellor, SKUAST-K, Prof Nazir Ahmad Ganai, conductedthe workshop to acquaint the SKUAST-K academics and office bearers with thevarious objectives and implementation process of NEP-20 by the agriculturalinstitutions.

Prof Pratap, who is also chairman of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research(ICAR) committee set up for the implementation of NEP-20 in agriculturaluniversities and heads the 6th Deans Committee for modification of farmeducation curriculums as per the new education policy, gave a detailed overviewon the changing role and preparedness of agricultural institutions intomultidisciplinary professional and skill universities as envisioned in the NEP-20.

He said the courses offered by agriculture varsities will have a more flexiblestructure and will be encouraged to become inter-disciplinary with flexibility inchoosing vocational courses as the ICAR is working to bring agricultural educationin line with the vision of the new policy unveiled by the Centre.

While preparing the students for creativity, critical thinking and conflict ofperceptions, Prof Pratap said, NEP aims to enhance student employability byequipping them with different skills to overcome the challenge of unemployment.Prof Tej Pratap, who also served as the vice-chancellor of SKUAST-K from 2010 to2015, while complementing the university for its overall development over theyears, said he is happy to see the university growing in each aspect of agriculturaleducation, be it research, extension, academics, or innovations.

After listening to Vice Chancellor Prof Ganai about the SKUAST-K’s institutionaldevelopment plan and its vision related to the implementation of NEP-20, Prof TejPratap said, “There are very few institutions in the country, who are at the level ofthinking for creating its own path, the way SKUAST-K has envisioned its uniquepath in modern agri-education. This is beyond NEP. And this is the way forward.”