Academic leaders from over 10 northern universities convened in CII roundtables to chart higher education's future, emphasizing NEP 2020's role in fostering innovative pedagogy, skill assessments, and future-ready institutions amid AI disruptions.
The report, co-created through these discussions, identifies key shifts: from rigid structures to "interdisciplinary challenge-based learning" and "AI-powered personalised learning." Challenges like faculty preparedness and scalability persist, but successes abound—IIT Mandi's fractal credits reward projects with INR 50,000 funds, while BITS Pilani's zero-attendance policy enables self-paced, modular learning.
The second roundtable on employability stressed "competency-based evaluation" and micro-credentials, with LPU's "Learn and Earn" model monetizing student projects via IBM-Google tie-ups. MRIIRS uses AI for 50% project-based assessments and interview simulations.
"Through these conversations, a clear picture emerges of the future ready institution - one that is agile, learner-centric, and deeply connected to the world it serves," said D N V Kumara Guru, Chairman, CII NR Committee on Education.
The third addressed AI headwinds, advocating "faculty as co-learners" and ethical tech integration, as seen in Chitkara University's ChatGPT exercises for critical thinking.
