Explore the transformative changes in Indian agriculture education as ICAR’s assistant director general, Seema Jaggi, highlights key NEP aspects, including multiple entry and exit points. The shift towards a professional discipline and the internationalization efforts by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) are also emphasized.”
The assistant director general of ICAR sheds light on the pivotal changes brought about by the National Education Policy (NEP) in Indian agriculture universities. One notable aspect is the introduction of multiple entry and exit points for students, set to be implemented across the nation’s agriculture universities from the academic year 2025. Seema Jaggi, in her address at the western zone vice-chancellors’ meeting at Somaiya Vidyavihar University, elaborated on the key features of the NEP, emphasizing the need for a redesign of universities and institutions to meet the evolving demands of large multidisciplinary setups.
Addressing the challenges faced by agricultural institutes, Ms. Jaggi underscored the necessity of transforming agriculture into a “professional discipline.” She stressed the significance of extensive deliberations to produce professionals capable of seamlessly integrating local knowledge and traditional wisdom.
Pankaj Mittal, the secretary-general of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), echoed the importance of internationalizing higher education institutes. He highlighted this as a high-priority focus for the AIU and mentioned active initiatives such as education fairs to promote Indian education. Additionally, the AIU is facilitating the recruitment of foreign experts by local institutes, contributing to the global perspective in Indian agricultural education.
In conclusion, the NEP-driven reforms and the commitment to internationalization signal a new era for Indian agriculture education, fostering a holistic and globally relevant approach.