NEP 2020 can help make education inclusive, innovative, sustainable: DEI Agra professors

Colonial legacies, rigid curricular frameworks, and bureaucratic inefficiencies have historically shaped higher education in India. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seeks to counter these issues by introducing transformative changes in governance, pedagogy, and institutional autonomy.

This paper examines the key aspects of NEP 2020, emphasising its potential for fostering international collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in education.

NEP 2020: Transformation of higher education

These are some of the salient features of the new National Education Policy how they help align our systems with the best practices worldwide.

Flexibility in learning pathways

A significant shift in NEP 2020 is the introduction of multiple entry and exit points in higher education, allowing students to obtain a certificate, diploma, or degree based on their level of completion. This departure from the traditional linear education model aligns with global best practices.

Internationalisation and global collaboration

NEP 2020 envisions India as a global knowledge hub through international academic partnerships, student and faculty exchanges, and joint research initiatives. Key fields such as engineering, technology, medicine, and the arts continue to establish India’s presence in the global education landscape.

Integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS)

NEP 2020 recognises Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) , incorporating traditional sciences, philosophy, arts, and languages into mainstream education. Digital platforms and global collaboration can help scale IKS internationally.

Role of the National Research Foundation (NRF)

The establishment of the National Research Foundation (NRF) seeks to enhance India’s research output and innovation capacity. Examining similar models like the National Science Foundation (USA) and Horizon Europe (EU) suggests that continuous investment in research and development is crucial for success.

Implementing NEP 2020

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a pivotal role in:

• Encouraging interdisciplinary studies and research initiatives
• Strengthening industry-academia partnerships
• Establishing centres of excellence for Indian Knowledge Systems
• Enhancing digital infrastructure for blended learning
• Creating global partnerships with institutions of higher learning.

NEP Implementation: Challenges and opportunities

Despite its promise, NEP 2020 faces several challenges :

• Financial constraints and resource allocation issues
• Institutional resistance to structural changes
• Balancing global competitiveness with indigenous knowledge promotion
• The need for robust regulatory mechanisms to ensure quality

However, NEP 2020 provides a roadmap for India to emerge as a global education hub by leveraging its established strengths in higher education and research.

Catalyst for globalisation, social responsibility

The NEP 2020 defines a path for fostering international connectivity through higher education.

Higher education plays a crucial role in:

• Global partnerships across diverse types of education — skilling, vocational, technical, and higher education
• International student mobility facilitated by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU)
• Leveraging technology (online education, AI-driven learning) for cross-border knowledge-sharing

Promoting social and public responsibility

The new education policy also has key recommendations on connecting institutions of higher education with their communities and also fostering research and innovation that’s socially-relevant.

Given below are the few areas in which it seeks to promote growth.

Community-based research and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Universities should actively engage in research that addresses global challenges, including climate change , poverty alleviation, and sustainable agriculture.

Civic engagement and ethical leadership

Education should instill civic responsibility through:

• Service-learning programmes
• Community engagement initiatives
• Ethical leadership training

Environmental and technological Awareness

Higher education must embed sustainability and technological literacy into curricula. India’s leadership in renewable energy and sustainable practices can serve as a model for global higher education.

Global classrooms, digital learning, research platforms

The new policy also seeks to reform teaching-learning practices.

Rise of global classrooms

Global classrooms use virtual and augmented reality to enhance international collaborations, allowing students to engage in real-time, cross-cultural learning experiences.

Overcoming challenges in global learning

Barriers to global classrooms include:

• Technological disparities
• Language barriers
• Resistance to pedagogical change

However, it’s possible to overcome them and the solutions include:

• AI-driven translation tools for multilingual education
• Affordable digital infrastructure to bridge the technology gap
• Remote-controlled laboratories for hands-on learning

Skilling and workforce readiness

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Impact of digital platforms

Online platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX have revolutionised skill-based training by offering flexible, accessible learning options across borders.

International collaboration in skill development

Germany’s dual education system successfully integrates classroom instruction with on-the-job training. In India, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) collaborates with industries and international organisations to promote vocational training.

Role of AI in skilling

AI-driven tools are personalising learning experiences and improving education accessibility, such as the OpenAI and California State University initiative.

Focusing on specific demand-based skill training is also important. For example, NSDC is focusing on gearing up for specific skills in demand worldwide, such as healthcare workers.

Technology-driven solutions for inclusive education

Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) Agra has implemented many of the critical proposals of the NEP 2020 and in doing so, harnessed the power of technology to improve educational opportunities among under-served communities.

DEI integrates international collaboration with social responsibility, ensuring global partnerships benefit

• School children and rural communities
• Students from marginalised backgrounds
• Innovative research in emerging technologies

DEI Agra has entered multiple agreements with different universities. Some of them are described below.

Science education with Stanford University

Through Foldscope microscopes, DEI has introduced hands-on microbiology education in rural Indian classrooms.

Identity and healthcare with Michigan State University

DEI’s biometric identification project ensures legal documentation and healthcare access for newborns.

AI and blockchain in education

DEI leverages AI-driven personalised learning and blockchain-based credentialing to enhance education accessibility.

Lessons for Indian universities

DEI’s success offers a replicable model for universities under the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) by prioritising

• Accessibility-focused collaborations
• Specific skill-based training for global readiness.

Globalisation in education offers immense opportunities, but equitable access remains a challenge. NEP 2020, global classrooms, and strategic collaborations pave the way for inclusive, sustainable, and globally-connected education. Institutions must balance international engagement with local development, ensuring higher education serves as a transformative force for students, communities, and societies worldwide.

Written by Prof. J K Verma, Prof. Rupali Satsangi, Prof. Prem Sudhish , Prof. NS Kalsi, Prof. Prem Kalra (retired from IIT Delhi), Prof. Prem Kumar Kalra (retired from IIT Kanpur), Mr Rajiv Sinha and Mr Rajiv Sinha ex MD DSCL.