KEVADIA, July 10: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated a two-day Vice-Chancellors’ Conference of Central Universities in Kevadia, Gujarat, emphasizing the pivotal role of the Panch Sankalpa—five resolutions under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020—in transforming India’s higher education system to meet the goals of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Attended by over 50 Vice Chancellors from central universities, the conference served as a platform to review NEP implementation and align institutional strategies with national development objectives. Pradhan highlighted significant progress over the past decade, including a 30% rise in student enrolment, with female enrolment growing 38%, and a marked improvement in enrolment rates among SC/ST communities, reflecting a push for inclusivity and equity.

Pradhan unveiled the five core principles—Next-Gen Emerging Education, Multidisciplinary Learning, Innovation, Holistic Development, and Bharatiya Values—as the guiding framework for higher education reform. He urged universities to take a student-centric approach, enhance digital infrastructure, promote skill development, and adopt technology-driven and multilingual education models.

He also called on universities to prepare institution-specific strategy documents to support full NEP implementation, focusing on curriculum reform, Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), and engagement with community stakeholders through academic initiatives.

Underscoring the importance of Academic Triveni Sangamam, the Minister highlighted the need to integrate India’s cultural legacy with modern education and global aspirations. He reiterated the NEP goal of achieving a 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2035.

In his address, Dr. Hasmukh Adhia, Chancellor of the Central University of Gujarat, emphasized the spiritual and philosophical aspects of Indian education through Karmayoga and Indian Knowledge Systems as vital to shaping ethical and capable citizens.

Higher Education Secretary Dr. Vineet Joshi reflected on NEP’s five-year journey and said universities must evolve into hubs of critical thinking, innovation, and holistic learning. Additional Secretary Dr. Sunil Barnwal reinforced NEP’s foundational pillars—Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability—as essential to achieving transformational change.

Prof. Rama Shanker Dubey, Vice Chancellor of Central University of Gujarat, assured that universities would actively adapt to NEP’s objectives and contribute to building a progressive, self-reliant India.

The conference includes ten thematic discussions, covering topics like curriculum redesign under NHEQF/NCrF, job readiness, digital platforms (SWAYAM, AAPAR), governance reforms via SAMARTH, support for regional languages, internationalisation, faculty development through the Malaviya Mission, and the integration of traditional knowledge.

Leading institutions such as University of Delhi, JNU, Tripura University, Sikkim University, and Indira Gandhi National Tribal University are among the participants, demonstrating nationwide academic alignment with India’s vision for 2047.