Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Education jointly with UGC organized a webinar on “Towards Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education” under Shikshak Parvto highlight the salient features of the New Education Policy (NEP 2020). Shikshak Parv is being celebrated from 8^th September- 25^th September, 2020 to felicitate the Teachers and to take New Education Policy 2020 forward.

Prof. Anu Singh Lather, Vice-Chancellor, Ambedkar University, Delhi;Prof. R. C. Kuhad, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Haryana;Prof. Sushma Yadav, Vice-Chancellor, BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya;Prof. R. P. Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor, Central University of Punjab and Prof. Suresh Kumar, Vice-chancellor, English and Foreign Languages Universityspoke on various sub-themes covering Holistic and Multidisciplinary education.

Speaking on “Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education”, Prof. R. C. Kuhad said that the characteristic features of Indian education system such as value system, sustainable philosophy of life, respect for plurality and multidisciplinary and holistic education system actually established India as Vishwaguru in the ancient times.  Explaining various aspects of NEP 2020 such as integration of humanities and arts with STEM subjects, multiple entry and exit, restructuring of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, mainstreaming of vocational education, Academic Bank of Credit etc. he informed how all these recommendations have generated a renewed interest in holistic and multidisciplinary education and thereby put Bharat on the path to Vishwaguru, again. 

Prof. Sushma Yadav provided a deep insight on the topic “Building a knowledge society through Holistic and Multidisciplinary higher education”.  Citing various initiatives of the Govt. since 2014, Prof. Sushma Yadav observed that the holistic and multidisciplinary reforms in NEP 2020 are in sync with the Govt. approach to inculcate the culture of innovative, flexible and open curriculum.The way to evolve holistic and multidisciplinary education is to make education more experiential, interesting, integrated, inquiry-driven, discoverey-oreinted, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.  Referring to what constitutes a good education in ancient times, she said such notion of knowledge of many arts including its modern application will place Bharatiya higher education in a different sphere to give us an edge in 21^st century.

Drawing a parallel between the holistic and multidisciplinary education envisioned in the NEP 2020 with the education received in the Gurukuls of ancient and medieval Bharat, Prof. R. P. Tiwariin his speech on “Empowering Youth with holistic and multidisciplinary education” highlighted how the gurukuls played a major role in those years to maintain a balance between man and nature.  In his address, he appealed to all stakeholders to contribute towards the implementation of NEP 2020 as NEP 2020 has the potential to make India a self reliant India. 

The talk by Prof. Suresh Kumar dealt with “Towards transforming Higher Education through Multidisciplinary and Holistic approach”, one of the proposed objectives of NEP 2020.  In his speech, he said  that one of the important things about the policy is it requires an individual to learn how to learn. Besides, he dwelt in detail about establishment of one multidisciplinary institution in every district by 2030, allowing free subject combinations which are in line with the global demands. Further, the talk throws light on attaining the objectives of internatilization, reforms in teacher education, and regulatory reforms and considered these reforms as the right moves to meet the diverse global demands through multidisciplinary system.

Prof. Anu Singh Latherexplained that it is not only the subject specific knowledge which matters but also as how the discourse need to be conducted also matters.  In addition to espousing holistic and multidisciplinary education she also elaborated on ways to make education holistic and how to achieve the culture of multidisciplinary.

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MC/AKJ/AK