India's National Education Policy 2020 aims to build multidisciplinary universities that blend diverse subjects and foster cross- and interdisciplinary learning. Challenges include funding, governance, and systemic changes in hiring and research. With thoughtful planning, India can reshape its education system to nurture real-world problem-solving and global competitiveness.
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The National Education Policy proposes to establish large multidisciplinary educational institutions.
A multidisciplinary campus means a university teaches many subjects like science, arts, and commerce in one place.
Currently, many colleges in India focus only on one subject, like engineering or teaching. But the government proposed to change this by adding more departments to existing colleges or grouping small colleges together into bigger universities. For example, an engineering college could add courses in economics or film studies. This helps students learn more than just their main subject.
Why is it difficult to make multidisciplinary universities in India?
Many colleges are very small and teach only one subject, like teacher training (B.Ed). These colleges often don’t have other types of courses nearby, so it is hard to group them together. Also, managing multiple campuses can reduce research efficiency.
Experts suggest creating one big university in each district instead of spreading campuses across different areas.
Cross-disciplinary learning means students take classes outside their main subject. For example, an economics student might also study sociology or film studies. This helps them see connections between different fields. Later, they can work on projects with students and teachers from other departments. For example, they could create a course called “Economic Changes in Indian Cinema,” combining economics, sociology, and film studies.
To encourage this, the government needs to provide extra funding for these projects, just like the U.S. does through its IGERT program. This program trains students to work across disciplines while still being experts in their own field.
Interdisciplinary thinking goes beyond just working with other fields. It means deeply connecting different subjects and creating new ways of solving problems. For example, engineering and architecture students might struggle to publish their research because it doesn’t fit neatly into one category.
Universities need to change how they hire teachers and promote research to support this kind of thinking.
To fix this, India needs to overhaul its funding, publication systems, and hiring practices. This won’t happen overnight—it will take years of planning and effort. But if done right, India could create a world-class education system that helps students solve real-world problems and compete globally.
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. The Indian education system has been criticized for prioritizing rote learning over practical skills. How can this imbalance be addressed to prepare students for real-world challenges? 250 words |
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