New education policy and architecture education
- Vol.86(9), Sep
- Mumbai The Indian Institute of Architects 2021
- 49-52p.
One of the important and ambitious agendas of the current government is to bring sweeping changes to education in the country. This dream is narrated in the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 approved by the Union Cabinet and has been published. The policy envisages restructuring higher education in a manner that the student shall have the choice to select a bouquet of courses that may contain core as well as supporting content for his/ her intended career specialisation, while giving a choice to also pursue one’s interests in related or non-related fields. For example, a student may choose to learn dance or literature while pursuing core education in the field of technology or science. Such choices were hitherto not available for the student. As envisaged in this policy the current specialised institutes of engineering, architecture, pharmacy, management, etc. will cease to exist and will be replaced by institutes offering multi-disciplinary education. The policy also prescribes an end-to-current system of colleges affiliated to universities. Instead, institutes and colleges will get autonomous status and offer their own programs leading to degree/ diploma/ certificate as per the duration of the study. Architectural education may also need to restructure itself to fit into this national scheme.