Joshi inaugurates new academic building at NIEPA, highlights role in NEP 2020 implementation

New Delhi, Oct 30 (INB) Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the new academic building and main entrance gate of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), saying the infrastructure would strengthen its academic and research capabilities. The new facility would help the institute expand its national and international programmes, Joshi said, according to an official statement issued by the Ministry of Education on Thursday. Highlighting NIEPA’s role in monitoring the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the minister said the institute should identify challenges and work closely with state governments to address them, it added. He also stressed the need to shift from rote learning to conceptual understanding, in line with the objectives of NEP 2020. Referring to government initiatives in education, Joshi said the PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme had facilitated Rs 60,000 crore in soft loans for higher education. He also highlighted digital learning platforms such as SWAYAM and DIKSHA, which have expanded access to educational resources. The minister emphasised the importance of providing young people with quality education and relevant skills to meet national and global requirements. Secretary of the Department of Higher Education Deepti Gaur Mukherjee, NIEPA Chancellor Prof Rama Shanker Dubey and Vice-Chancellor Prof Shashikala Wanjari were present at the inauguration.