| | 8 December 2021HIGHERReviewIN MY VIEWIN MY VIEWDESIGN -CENTRIC EDUCATIONIMPERATIVE FOR THE POST COVID WORLD AND ATMANIRBHAR BHARATBy Sudhir Varadarajan, Dean (Design, Innovation & Incubation), IIITDM KancheepuramEducation disruptedThe disruption unleashed by COVID-19 has shaken the education system at all levels - primary, secondary, and higher education. However, institutions seem to hold on to their discipline/faculty-centric and teaching-oriented model. Most are busy transferring this model into online platforms with controls such as attendance and proctored online exams. On the other hand, students are figuring out ways to make sense of the burgeoning academic knowledge and expectations, while grappling with issues of internet connectivity, availability of computers, ergonomics of increased screen time, and learning to beat the system. The fundamental qualities of learning the real-world continue to be accidental biproducts, if at all. Will NEP make any difference?The introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) in this context raises hope. The NEP calls for increasing choices for students, creating more wholesome and multi-disciplinary learning environment and experiences, and encourage innovation. This vision has been welcomed by many individuals and institutions. The implementation approach has started pushing higher education institutions (HEIs) to make interventions such as increasing the proportion of open electives, create new minors/majors, increase the student strength and add new departments/disciplines to create a multi-disciplinary environment. However, a key concern is whether these interventions, implemented within the faculty-centric and teaching-oriented mindset, will create a wholesome learning experience that dissolves the dichotomy between mind-body, local-global and produce a self-directed learner who has the passion and drive to make a difference to the local issues? And whether they will help evolve new models of education that weave India's past with the future as envisaged by Gandhi and Tagore?With his 20+ years' experience in the Indian IT industry in R&D, Practice Development and Consulting, and specialization in Systems Engineering & Management, he leads the institute's design, innovation and incubationSudhir Varadarajan, Dean
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