NEP-2020 focuses on quality and research in Higher Education: Governor Biswabhusan Harichandan

Vijayawada, May 5 (prajaamaravathi): The 3rd Conference of the Vice Chancellors of the State Universities was held at Durbar Hall in Raj Bhavan here on Thursday. Addressing the Vice Chancellors, Andhra Pradesh Governor & Chancellor of State Universities, Sri Biswabhusan Harichandan has said that the National Education Policy-2020 aims to fulfil human potential, develop an equitable and just society, by promotion of national development, universal accessibility, with a focus on quality education. Governor Sri Harichandan said that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is committed to implementing the NEP 2020 in its true spirit and has initiated several reforms in the Higher Education sector in the State.

He said that the NEP-2020 envisioned certain key changes in the current higher education system, like moving towards multidisciplinary education, Faculty and institutional autonomy; revamping of curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and student support, reaffirming the integrity of Faculty and institutional leadership.

The implementation of NEP-2020 in the State Universities is moving in a systematic manner and steps have already been taken to re-design the Curriculum for both the engineering and conventional degree programmes, said the Governor.

Governor Sri Harichandan has said that the establishment of a State Research Board to develop research eco-system and to promote qualitative research in Universities and Colleges, was a step in the right direction and that Andhra Pradesh was the first State in the country to introduce the 4-year Degree programme with research being part of the course, from the academic year 2020-21.

He said the Vice-Chancellors should devise strategies to develop high-quality research eco-system and explore the possibilities to collaborate with industry, research institutes of national and international importance and on building research infrastructure.

Vice Chancellors of 23 State Universities who attended the conference made a presentation on the development activities of their respective Universities and briefed the Governor and the Chancellor, on their future development plans.

Smt. Poonam Malakondaiah, Special Chief Secretary, Agriculture & Marketing, Sri R.P. Sisodia, Special Chief Secretary to Governor, Sri J. Syamala Rao, Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Prof. K. Hemachandra Reddy, Chairman, Prof. K. Rama Mohana Rao, Vice Chairman, Prof. B. Sudheer Prem Kumar, Secretary of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education, and other officers have attended the conference.