GANDERBAL: Central University of Kashmir, Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, Friday unveiled a transformative roadmap aligned with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP-2020), targeting holistic, multidisciplinary, and inclusive education, offered by the varsity.
Addressing the faculty members online, Prof. A. Ravinder Nath, in his presentation, on “Curriculum Development in the context of the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and the National Credit Framework (NCrF),” emphasized the role of higher education in fostering economic growth, societal development, and leadership. Drawing inspiration from UNESCO’s universal principles of access, equity, and quality, he connected them with NEP-2020’s foundational goals: Outcome-Based Education (OBE), the Choice-Based Credit System (CBCS), and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC).
“Our mission is to create a vibrant, inclusive knowledge society. The frameworks of NHEQF and NCrF will allow us to realign our academic programs to global standards while addressing India’s unique needs,” Prof. A Ravinder Nath said. The presentation detailed the integration of NCrF, a credit accumulation system fostering academic mobility across disciplines and institutions.
This holistic framework, he said, is rooted in three verticals: National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF), National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) and National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF). “These pillars aim to ensure seamless movement for learners between academic, vocational, and technical education while embracing multidisciplinary approaches like Design Your Degree and Design Your Course,” he further said. He said that by integrating frameworks like NHEQF and NCrF, the Central University of Kashmir is poised to emerge as a role model in academic innovation.
The Vice-Chancellor highlighted NEP-2020’s focus on providing equitable access to education for all students, irrespective of gender, caste, or socio-economic background. “This inclusivity directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 4, which seeks lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
Prof. A Ravinder Nath emphasized the importance of continuous curriculum restructuring. He asked the faculty members to submit detailed proposals with the Dean Academic Affairs for organising workshops for revisiting the syllabus in order to make it more vibrant and inclusive. Emphasizing experiential learning, research opportunities, and community engagement, he said the new curriculum encourages students to integrate ethics and values into their academic pursuits.
He also stressed the need to bridge the gap between academic learning and market demands. “By embedding life-coping, analytical, and social skills into curricula, the university aims to enhance graduates’ employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.”
CUKashmir Vice-Chancellor, acknowledged the challenges in implementing such a transformative framework, particularly in transitioning from traditional models to online and blended learning platforms. However, he remained optimistic, stating, “These challenges are opportunities for us to innovate and position ourselves as a leader in global education.”
Proposing the vote of thanks, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, assured the Vice-Chancellor, of implementing the road map in the letter and spirit and asked the faculty members to put in their strenuous efforts for realising the dream of the Vice-Chancellor. “This is not just an academic reform but a societal transformation. Together, we can create an education system that empowers students to lead with confidence, responsibility, and compassion,” he added.
Deans of Schools, Prof. Fayaz Nika, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Mir, Prof. Sandhya Tiwari, Registrar Prof. M Afzal Zargar and faculty members also hailed the presentation and presented their points of view supplementing the thoughts of the Vice Chancellor.