A two-day conclave on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) in UT Ladakh was held at Taru campus of the University of Ladakh on December 9 and 10.

Besides the senior faculty of the University of Ladakh, Principals and faculty from all the constituent colleges and Polytechnic Colleges, representatives from Institutes like GB Pant, DIHAR, SKUAST, etc, sat together to chalk out the action plan for implementation of the NEP from the next academic cycle of 2023-24.

Commissioner/Secretary, Higher Education Dept, Padma Angmo who is also the Mission Director of Ladakh Skill Development Mission stated that NEP heralds a revolution in education with greater emphasis on vocational education, employability skills, and multiple entries and multiple exit options which throws open a plethora of choices and flexibility for the students to pursue holistic education. She flagged the target of achieving a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio by 2035 as given in the NEP 2020 and stressed the need to improve the status of higher education in Ladakh so that the students can have the option to get the same quality education here. 

In the inaugural address, Vice Chancellor, S K Mehta stated that while the NEP implementation has already started in the University of Ladakh for the PG courses from the current session, the Colleges will be ready for the roll-out of NEP from the next session. In a detailed presentation, he extensively discussed the main features of NEP, the integration of general education with vocational education and experiential learning, the emphasis on research, need to highlight the regional languages and local culture and heritage. While flagging the various challenges faced by Higher Education Institutions, he also stated that the main challenge is to make education accessible for all so that Students with disabilities can have opportunities for equal participation across the educational system.

On December 10, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, today attended the valedictory programme of the two-day conclave. A draft of the four-year undergraduate curriculum framework based on NEP-2020 was released.

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Ladakh Skill Development Mission, the University of Ladakh, and various Sector Skill Councils for the introduction of skill/vocational courses, setting up of lab infrastructure, implementation of skill development programs in colleges, ITIs and government schools of Ladakh to enhance the employability of youth of Ladakh through various training.

Terming NEP-2020 as an instrument of changing society, LG Mathur emphasized that a lot of preparation is involved before the four-year undergraduate course is launched in Ladakh. He stressed the need for a periodical review to iron out glitches and to ensure that the students along with the teaching staff are both physically and mentally prepared for its implementation. He appreciated the participants of all the constituent colleges for reaching a consensus and producing the four-year UG curriculum framework for its implementation from the next academic session 2023-24.

LG Mathur advised the University of Ladakh and Higher Education Department that a target may be fixed to provide certification to the skilled population of Ladakh and produce a degree holder in a skilled area to change the perception and psychology of the people to ensure that various trades get the respect they deserve. He suggested that every single constituent college of the University of Ladakh may have a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with other universities to seek help from outside to strengthen the education system and to get support for the credit system so that the University of Ladakh is at par with the best universities of the country. 

He emphasised the need to make concerted efforts to upgrade the infrastructure and resolve issues of teaching/non-teaching staff to develop a platform for the overall growth and strengthening of the University of Ladakh and the Higher Education Department.

LG Mathur stressed the need for an institutionalized mechanism through regular meetings with students to prepare the groundwork for the implementation of the four-year undergraduate courses in colleges in Ladakh. He emphasised the need for teaching and non-teaching staff of the University of Ladakh to develop a strong and harmonious relationship with students for strong performances and good results. 

Terming the University of Ladakh as a young university, LG Mathur stated an ecosystem may be developed that is unique to Ladakh to lay a strong foundation for academics as well as the culture of the University.

Distributing certificates to the students who took part in the three-month long foundation course in screen acting jointly organised by UoL and Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, he congratulated FTII for conducting the three-month long foundation course and for agreeing to conduct courses for the next academic year at UoL to develop new talent in Ladakh. He also congratulated the participants on the successful completion of the foundation course.

Director, FTII Pune, Prof Sandeep Shahare, informed about various courses provided to them to aspiring artists and filmmakers from Ladakh. Calling Ladakhi youth talented, he stressed the need to nurture and provide exposure to them.

A film prepared by FTII students who took part in the foundation course was screened during the event.