The National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli, formerly known as Regional Engineering College, Tiruchirappalli, commemorates the successful implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP2020) on its three-year anniversary. As one of India's premier technical and research institutes, NIT Trichy has been at the forefront of adopting and implementing the transformative vision laid out by NEP2020. The policy's four pillars, "Learning to Know," "Learning to Do," "Learning to Live Together," and "Learning to Be," have been embraced with dedication and enthusiasm.
NEP2020 lays significant emphasis on expanding the reach of education by aiming for a Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) of 50% by 2035, an ambitious goal considering the current GER stands at approximately 28%. As an Institute of national importance, NIT Trichy recognizes the vital role that higher education institutions must play in achieving this target. Innovative methods to increase throughput have been explored and executed, paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable education system.
Furthermore, NEP2020 focuses on building vocational skills and integrating them at various levels of education. NIT Trichy acknowledges the importance of practical occupational skills and competence, especially in technical higher education, and has taken measures to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience.
The policy's emphasis on holistic education and multi disciplinary university structures resonates deeply with NIT Trichy. As the Institute embraces NEP2020's vision, it aims to expand its horizon by including faculties of Liberal Arts and Humanities, transforming into a full-fledged University from being a technical institution. This holistic approach aims to develop all aspects of human capabilities in an integrated manner.
NEP2020 is vast, and it has pushed us to improve every aspect of our work. The policy's linkage to sustainable development goal (SDG4) underscores our shared goal of providing quality education and lifelong learning opportunities to all. We are committed to moving towards large multi disciplinary universities and HEI clusters, offering flexible and innovative curricula to promote community engagement, environmental awareness, and value-based education."
NIT Trichy has proactively embraced NEP2020 and implemented several key action plans, prioritizing experiential learning, innovative pedagogical practices for Ph.D. students, offering online courses, encouraging multilingualism, and promoting multidisciplinarity in education.
One of the notable initiatives at NIT Trichy is the "Business & Entrepreneurship for Engineers" course, taught by alumni business leaders. This credit course fosters experiential learning, enabling students to refine their business ideas with mentorship from illustrious alumni. The Institute believes that this initiative will inspire students to become job creators and contribute to the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
NIT Trichy has also recognized the importance of nurturing teaching capabilities among its research scholars. The implementation of credit-based courses in teaching and education, along with practical teaching experience, prepares the scholars to become effective faculty members in the future.
In line with NEP2020's goal of enhancing access and improving GER, NIT Trichy offers Open Distance Learning (ODL) and online programs, providing diverse learning opportunities to students.
The Institute has demonstrated its commitment to multilingualism by offering 100-Tamil for students who do not know the regional language, and German language courses, which align with the internationally recognized A1 level certification.
Additionally, NIT Trichy has embraced multidisciplinarity by introducing integrated B.Sc, B.Ed, and B.A. B.Ed programs, incorporating the mandate to create an Education department in HEIs.
On this auspicious occasion, NIT Trichy reaffirms its dedication to the successful implementation of NEP2020 and looks forward to contributing significantly to the transformative vision of creating an equitable and vibrant knowledge society in India.