The New Education Policy will connect students with technology which means, students will learn about technology through technology, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “NEP 2020 introduces multidisciplinary education and provides flexibility to chose subjects, multiple entry and exit options. NEP 2020 is for the 21st-century youth, it is a students’ wishlist, which provides them with the freedom to study what they want. NEP will establish India as a global education destination. The policy has opened the way for the introduction of artificial intelligence in education and increased usage of online learning to facilitate both learning and teaching. We are heading towards an ecosystem where students will learn from technology and simultaneously innovate new technology,” the Prime Minister added while addressing the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati’s 22nd Convocation virtually on Tuesday.

Knowledge has no boundaries and the NEP opens up the education sector, added Modi. “NEP talks about opening up the education sector. It aims to provide global exposure to open up campuses of foreign universities in India and establish a research collaboration between India and global institutions. It will promote exchange programmes,” Modi said.

Congratulating IITG on awarding PhDs being awarded to 300 students this year, Modi said that research should become a habit, a part of the students’ thought process and how their research can help deal with the different problems the country might be facing. “To enrich research in the country, a National Research Foundation has been proposed. Funds will be provided for research both in science and humanities discipline,” he added.

PM Modi said that he firmly believes the future of a nation is what its youth thinks today, “Your dreams are going to shape the reality of India. This time is to be future-ready and future-fit” and emphasised how interdisciplinary programmes will make education more futuristic and all-round. He went on to congratulate the institute for carrying on their academic activities even during the tough times of the pandemic. “I can feel how difficult it has been for you to conduct academic sessions, continue research work, in the time of COVID-19. But still, you achieved this success. I congratulate you for your efforts and contribution towards making the country self-reliant,” he said.

Finally, PM Modi requested IIT Guwahati to establish a Centre for disaster management and risk reduction. “This centre will also provide expertise in dealing with the disasters of this area, and will also turn disasters into opportunities,” he said. The prime minister was addressing the students along with Union Minister for Education Ramesh Pokhriyal and Sanjay Dhotre, Minister of State for Education. Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Rajiv I Modi, Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Guwahati, and TG Sitharam, Director, IIT Guwahati, also addressed the gathering during the event. This year, 1,803 students including 687 BTech and 637 MTech students received their degrees during the Convocation. Nearly 87.5 per cent of students got jobs through campus placement despite the pandemic crisis.

Addressing the gathering, Ramesh Pokhriyal said it was a matter of great pride to be a part of such an event. “For students, this is not the end, this is a new beginning. The key to success is a positive attitude and positive aptitude. Update yourself regularly and steer towards success. Students of our premier institutions are now managing the MNCs as CEO around the world. IIT Guwahati has fought against COVID-19 making the campus a corona centre. It has always been the epitome of quality education and innovation. We hope the institute moves forward in leading the way in reformation and transformation of education as per our PM’s vision, which features clearly in the new National Education Policy. The NEP has been made as a vision document and it will help us overcome challenges in education,” he said.

The Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre in his address, said: “It is a matter of great pride to see an institute from the northeast part of the country stands tall through its excellence in imparting quality education. Media has been highlighting and appreciating various stories and research activities of IIT Guwahati.”