Two Day National Workshop on 'Diversity, Inclusion and Equity: Reforms in Pedagogy as Envisioned in NEP 2020' organized by Human Resource Development Cell, NSS College Pandalam in collaboration with UGC, HRDC, University of Kerala

In collaboration with UGC-HRDC, University of Kerala, the Human Resource Development Cell of NSS College, Pandalam organized a two-day national workshop titled "Diversity, Inclusion and Equity: Reforms in Pedagogy as Envisioned in NEP 2020" on January 20 and 21, 2023, in the college seminar hall. The programme began on January 20, 2023, at 10:30 am with a welcome address by Dr. Rekhasree K R, Convenor HRD Cell, NSS College Pandalam. Dr. P.P. Ajayakumar, Professor and Director, UGC-HRDC, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram, delivered the introductory speech. He provided an overview of the NEP and discussed the potential changes it could bring to the education system. Dr. J. Anjana, Principal-in-charge, NSS College Pandalam, delivered the presidential address. This was followed by the inaugural address by Hon.T.P. Sreenivasan, IFS (Rtd), Former Ambassador of India. He stressed the need to adopt a liberal approach to education. He listed out six zones in education which need to be reformed, such as infrastructure, teachers' training, technology, autonomy, research and internalisation, specifying the advantages that the NEP offer, which includes multiple entry and exit for students as well as the freedom to choose new courses and institutions without losing the already acquired credit.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr Prof. N. Gopakumar, Controller of Examinations, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram. He stressed the need to restructure courses on a war footing. The restructuring of studies should be done with a parallel restructuring in examination, administration and legal procedures. He spoke about three universities envisaged by NEP: Research Intensive Universities, Teaching Intensive Universities and Degree Awaiting Universities, including autonomous institutions. The major perks of NEP are its multidisciplinary approach and the academic flexibility it envisages. Dr Shibu M.P, Council Secretary, offered felicitations, and Dr Remyakrishnan R. proposed the vote of thanks.

The afternoon session started at 1:30 pm with Dr T.C.Thankachan, Vice Principal and Associate Professor, St. Thomas College of Teacher Education, Pala. He delivered a lecture on The Implementation of NEP 2020- Concerns and Challenges with particular reference to the Academic Bank of Credits. He highlighted that NEP 2020 has already been partially implemented and discussed specific challenges in how it is designed. The second day commenced with a session by Dr Biju, Assistant Professor, Central University of Tamilnadu, Thiruvaroor, on the topic Designing Curriculum for Four Years Under Graduate Courses Networking of higher education institutions is one thrust area that NEP advocates, which includes the transfer of credits and resource persons.

Each faculty of an institution should develop a course that can be offered to students as general elective courses and shared with learners of other universities. He introduced various online platforms which provide multiple pathways for scholars like SWAYAM, UDEMY, ADEX, ARPIT, COURSERA etc. In the final discourse on ‘Curricular and Pedagogical Implications of NEP- 2020’, Dr Noushad P.P, Associate Professor, School of Gandhian Thoughts and Development Studies, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam gave a brief background of the educational policies of India. He emphasized on EFA (Education for All) and ECCE (Early Childhood Care and Education), a previously neglected area but much highlighted in NEP. The valedictory session was at 3 pm on 21 January 2023. Prof. Madhu Eravankara was the chief guest. A feedback session followed this by the faculty and the M.Ed students from NSS Training College Pandalam who attended the programme.