Gauhati University, October 17, 2023 – “Teachers play a pivotal role in national development and noted that even Lord Ram owed his greatness to his teachers. The rich tradition of Guru-Sishya Parampara in India is a practice that has been integral to our culture from ancient times” says the Hon’ble Governor of Assam and Chancellor of Gauhati University, Sjt. Gulab Chand Kataria, who was the Chief Guest in The National Level Higher Education Teachers' Conference, 2023 organized by Vidya Bharati Uchcha Shiksha Sansthan (VBUSS) Assam Prant in association with Gauhati University, focusing on transformative reforms in higher education under the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), that took place at the Dr. B.K.B Auditorium of Gauhati University today.
The Governor also commended the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as a practical and forward-looking approach that holds the potential to fulfill the vision of a brighter future for India. In his vision for India by 2047, the Governor spoke about the transformative power of youth. He underscored the importance of the younger generation in propelling India towards greater progress and development. Furthermore, he emphasized the need for India to forge collaborations with the world’s leading universities to enhance research studies. This global partnership, he believed, would not only improve the quality of education but also contribute to the overall growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Pratap Jyoti Handique, the Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University emphasized the significance of transformative reforms in higher education as per NEP 2020. He highlighted the role of teachers in building the nation and fostering a national credit framework. It focused on the conference's central themes, emphasizing their importance in shaping the future of education. This was followed by an introductory speech by Prof. Kailash Sharma, the National President of VBUSS.
Prof. Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Vice Chairman of UGC, and Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Chairman of NTA, Ministry of Education, Gol, graced the inaugural session as Guest of Honour and Chief Guest, respectively. Dr. Debahari Talukdar, the President of the Organizing Committee and Director of Gauhati University Centre for Distance & Online Education (GUCDOE), expressed gratitude in the Vote of Thanks.
The conference featured a packed schedule with various sessions and discussions. In the first session, the topic "Bharat-2047: Vision, Mission & Implementation" was explored, with Senior Journalism Dr. Samudra Gupta Kashyap, Chancellor of Nagaland University and Ex. State Information Commissioner, as a prominent speaker. Parallel sessions covered topics including the National Credit Framework & Academic Bank of Credit, Integrated Open & Distance Learning, Traditional Learning Reforms, and Teacher Capacity Building.
The Valedictory Session saw Dr. Pradeep Kumar Joshi, Chairman of NTA, MoE, Gol, as the Chief Guest, and Shri. Basishtha Bujar Barua, Zonal Joint Organising Secretary of RSS, as the Guest of Honour. Dr. Debahari Talukdar expressed thanks, and Dr. Priyanka Mazumdar moderated the session.
The event was a Collaboration of VBUSS with Gauhati University centre for Distance and Online Education (GUCDOE), Gauhati Commerce College, K.C Das Commerce College, Assam Institute of Management, Pragjyotish College, Lakhipur College and Arya Vidyapeeth College.
The conference, which aimed to enhance the expertise of higher education teachers in line with NEP 2020, brought together distinguished individuals from the education sector to discuss vital topics and foster progress in India's higher education system, from the state and other parts of India as well.
-Ajay Sarkar
