NEP 2020: UGC launches ambitious program to train 15 lakh higher education teachers

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has launched a capacity-building program aimed at the comprehensive development of 1.5 million higher education teachers and instilling ethics and human values, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

A total of 111 institutions across India have been designated as Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centres (MMTTC), as part of the UGC’s Malaviya Mission-Teacher Training program, where teachers will receive proper training. Some programs are conducted in-person, while others are offered online, with the goal of completing the training of all 1.5 million higher education teachers within the next two to three years.

“The primary objective is to enhance the quality of education at all levels by promoting excellence in teaching and teachers,” said a UGC official.

This initiative was announced on Teachers’ Day last week and aims to foster the holistic development of both teachers and learners, emphasizing ethical values rooted in Indian culture and fostering multidisciplinary and critical thinking abilities.

An online capacity-building program spanning two weeks has been crafted to align closely with the core principles outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, specifically tailored for faculty members.
NEP 2020, introduced by the NDA government, replaced the Congress-era education policy that had been in place since 1986, and it has been in effect since 2020.

The themes of the Malaviya Mission-Teacher Training program include holistic education, Indian knowledge systems, academic leadership, governance, research, skill development, inclusivity, technology integration, learning outcomes identification, and assessment.

UGC Chief M. Jagadesh emphasized the program’s focus on the continuous professional development of faculty, offering a forward-looking approach across various themes. Additionally, the program underscores the faculty’s role in institutional development, a crucial aspect of improving the quality of higher education.

Officials noted that the training content balances an India-centric ethos with a global perspective, equipping faculty with Indian values and modern technologies to address the evolving landscape of higher education.

A specialised portal has also been created for the faculty members. This move aims to enhance the implementation of new approaches to curriculum delivery and teaching-learning, with a particular focus on MMTT centers, which are considered the most effective means to achieve this goal.