Towards a more Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education

1. National Education Policy
2020
-Jayapriya D.K
19MSW024

2. Towards a More Holistic and
Multidisciplinary Education
11.1
• Ancient Literary works described good education as
knowledge of 64 kalaas/ arts.
i. Arts – singing, painting
ii. Scientific fields – Chemistry, Mathematics
iii. Vocational fields – Carpentary, Clothes making
iv. Professional fields – Medicine, Engineering
v. Soft skills – Communication, Discussion, Debate
• The notion of a ‘knowledge of many arts’ or ‘liberal arts’
(i.e., a liberal notion of the arts) must be brought back to
Indian education, as it is exactly the kind of education that
will be required for the 21st century.

3. 11.2
• Humanities and Arts + STEM = (Science,
Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
i. positive learning outcomes,
ii. increased creativity and innovation,
iii. critical thinking and higher-order thinking
capacities,
iv. problem-solving abilities,
v. teamwork, communication skills,
vi. more in-depth learning and
vii. mastery of curriculum across fields,
viii.increases in social and moral awareness, etc.,

4. 11.3
• Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education 
develops all capacities of human beings in an
integrated manner. (intellectual, aesthetics,
social, physical, emotional & moral)
• Develops well – rounded individuals with
critical 21st century capacities. (arts,
humanities, professional, technical &
vocational fields)
• Holistic education – long term

5. 11.4
• Holistic and Multidisciplinary education 
21st century and 4th industrial revolution.
• IIT’s  holistic and multidisciplinary education
with arts and humanities.

6. 11.5
• Imaginative and flexible curricular structures.
i. Imaginative  removes rigid boundaries &
creates new possibilities
ii. Flexible  multiple entry and exit points.
• UG, PG and Doctoral education in
multidisciplinary universities + research based
specializations

7. 11.6
• Flexibility in curriculum and novel & engaging
course options  offer to students.
• Increased faculty and institutional autonomy.
• Increased emphasis on communication,
discussion, debate, research.

8. 11.7
• Indian education & environment will be
established and strengthened at all Higher
Educational Institutions (HEI)/ Open &
Distant Learning (ODL).

9. 11.8
• Credit based courses and projects 
i. Community engagement and services
ii. Environmental education – climate change,
pollution, waste management
iii. Value- based education – humanistic, ethical,
constitutional
• GLOBAL CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION (GCED)
i. empower learners to become aware of and
understand global issues and to become active
promoters of more peaceful, tolerant, inclusive,
secure, and sustainable societies

10. • Internships  local industries, businesses,
artists, crafts persons.
• Research Internships  researchers and
faculty – HEI’s  indulge students in practical
learning.
• Byproduct  improve their employment

11. 11.9
• Structure & Degree programmes  adjusted
• UG  3 or 4 years  multiple exit options.
• 1st + Vocational course  certificate
• 2nd  Diploma
• 3rd  Bachelor
• 4th  Multidisciplinary Bachelor’s
programme/ degree with research ( study
area- major)
• Academic Bank of Credit

12. 11.10
• HEI’s flexibility to offer different designs of
Master’s.
1. 2 years  2nd year research ( 3 years
Bachelor’s)
2. 1 year  ( 4 years Bachelor’s with Research)
3. Integrated 5 years ( Bachelor’s / Master’s)
4. Ph.D  ( Master’s / 4 years Bachelor’s with
Research)
5. M.Phil  Discontinued

13. 11.11
• Model Public Universities for holistic &
multidisciplinary education  IIT’s, IIM’s 
Multidisciplinary Education & Research
Universities (MERU) highest standard for
multidisciplinary education across India.

14. 11.12
• Start up Incubation centers
• Technology development centers
• Centers in frontier areas of research
• Greater Industry – Academic linkages
• Interdisciplinary research + humanities , Social
Sciences
• Epidemics and Pandemics  Infectious research,
epidemiology, virology, diagnosis,
instrumentation
• Specific Hand Holding Mechanisms  innovation
• NRF  enable & support  vibrant research &
innovation.

15. THANK YOU !!!