IIT Palakkad shares progress in implementation of NEP 2020

Mon, 24th Jul, 2023 - 06:30 pm

As we move to the third anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, IIT Palakkad reflects on its remarkable progress and dynamic initiatives in implementing NEP 2020. “In a significantly short period, IIT Palakkad has taken several steps like the introduction of Choice Based Curriculum, new B. Tech program in Data Science, the launch of the Centre of Renewable Energy (CoRE), etc.” conveyed Prof. A Seshadri Sekhar, Director IIT Palakkad. Prof. Anand TNC, Dean Academics along with Prof. Santhakumar Mohan, Dean ICSR, Prof. Sovan Lal Das, Former Dean Academics addressed the media in the Press Club, Palakkad today.

The revised dynamic credit based curriculum provides students a more flexible and comprehensive academic experience as envisaged in the NEP 2020. The new UG regulations effective from 2022 also open up multiple degree options such as Double Major, BTech-MTech Dual Degree, BTech with Minors, BTech with Honours and BTech with Honours (by Research), enabling students to chalk out their own graduation plan by choosing from diverse options to gain the expertise of their choice.

As outlined in the NEP and in response to the surge in demand for cutting-edge expertise, IIT Palakkad has taken the lead by establishing a dedicated Department of Data Science that offers BTech and MTech programs in Data Science besides M.S. by Research and Ph.D. programs. The institute has also taken steps to implement the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system, encouraging students to digitally store their earned credits.

In the process of aligning the curriculum with NEP, the institute prioritizes research in areas such as Smart Agriculture, Water Resources, Ecology, Biomedical Sciences and Green Energy and has dedicated Centres of Renewable Energy (CoRE) and Environmental Sciences and Sustainable Engineering (ESSENCE) to propel research in these areas.

As outlined in NEP, to facilitate skill development in adults, a slew of upskilling initiatives have been enabled targeting school/college dropouts and retired personnel. Some of these initiatives were developed jointly in association with the Additional Skill Acquisition Programme (ASAP), Govt. of Kerala. IIT Palakkad engages in community outreach through programs like Math Circle, Science Quest,  Pale Blue Dot , and skill development training to youth residing in tribal hamlets of Attapadi to impart scientific temperament in the community.

Other key measures taken by IIT Palakkad in implementing NEP include:

  • Maintaining strong ties with industry, offering joint courses and organizing annual Industry-Academia Conclave to make students industry-ready.
  • The institution emphasizes technology integration and offers courses like Building Information Modeling for Construction Management.
  • Offers project based courses to students wherein mentor and students jointly develop ideas/concepts and products.
  • The Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC) has been set up to foster innovation and entrepreneurial activities including National Innovation and Startup Policy (NISP).
  • The Student Affairs Council was established early on and is an integral part of the institute's growth and development process.
  • To support financially disadvantaged students, the institute facilitates various scholarships and disburses financial assistance through its signature Earn As You Learn program.
  • The institute ensures a significant presence of female students, faculty, and staff on campus and mandates representation of female members in administrative committees.
  • Promotes awareness and sensitivity towards gender-identity matters, adhering to the guidelines of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) policy.

Video Link : https://youtu.be/3SfCC2_do00