National Education Policy 2020: Lloyd successfully conducted Two Days AICTE Sponsored Lloyd’s International Conference

December 17th-18th 2021: The Two Days Lloyd’s International Conference, Sponsored by AICTE, themed on “National Education Policy- Transformational Reforms in Higher Education: Making a global impact" was successfully conducted at Lloyd Campus. Receiving more than 700 participants from 75 different organizations & 12 different states, with 126 Total Abstracts including Oral & Paper presentations.

Day 1 began with the auspicious Lamp Lightening followed by the Inaugural session presided by Prof. D. S. Chauhan , Former Vice Chancellor, A.K.T.U., Lucknow. The Inaugural Session was marked by the grace of the Honorable Vice Chancellor, Delhi Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, New Delhi, Prof. Ramesh K. Goyal. He enumerated the purpose of the new policy which is to provide self-directed learning such that the students become independent and confident and give society through leadership or civic duties.

Keynote Address was delivered by Dr. G. N Singh , Advisor to Hon'ble Chief Minister-Uttar Pradesh & Former Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). He said, “The education policy will also have a great impact on the health sector since it is the pillar of the Nation. Till 2040 the country would see a developed education system so as to bring glory to the Nation.”

Dr. S. Eswara Reddy, Joint Drugs Controller, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) delivered the Prime Address for the session, followed by a warm welcome note by Dr. Vandana Arora Sethi, Group Director, Lloyd Group of Institutions. She emphasized on the purpose of the conference that is to bring about the new NEP in light.

Later, Ms. Helen Morgan, an Educationist from UK, English, also marked the Session virtually and shared her views on the Education system of UK addressing that they have redeveloped practical work, introduced flexibility in learning and are open to admit international students. Lloyd was lit with the galaxy of several other dignitaries and delegates for panel discussions later. Starting from the First Panel Discussion on "Translating the Vision NEP-2020: Way Forward for Effective Implementation", Col B. Venkat, Director, AICTE, joined virtually & enumerated the fundamentals of the NEP. He stated about promotion of the regional languages in the policy and also elaborated about the inclusion of especially economically deprived students, drop outs and marginal students.

Prof. HarvinderPopli, Director, SOPS, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU) She focused on the fact that, “Learner is the epicenter for vocational and professional learning.” Meanwhile she enumerated the challenges an educator faces which bring non quality research affecting the learner. Therefore, on a grass root level the policy should be specified. Prof. Arun Nanda, MaharshiDayanand University, Rohtak, very well put his factual thought for NEP stating that there are 85% soft skills and 15% technical skills that will result in employability as per Harvard University. He said, “Soft skill is the new skill which should be taught to the students. NEP is focusing on breaking the barrier and advised the educators to broaden the horizon and invest in value education and other skills.” Dr. AseemBhatnagar, Additional Director (Retd.) from Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences, DRDO, Prof NilayGoyal, from York University and Seneca College, Toronto, Canada & Dr. V. Kalaiselvan, Senior Principal Scientific Officer from Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India were the esteemed panelist members who shared their exhilarating thoughts and figments on this Discussion and brought in light more about the NEP-2020. Ms. NeetuKamra, Associate Professor of Lloyd was the moderator of this session.

Later in the first Plenary Session of Prof.NilayGoyal, he presented his valuable thoughts and ideas to ponder on the topic “Commercialization of Research and Innovation.” This plenary session which gave the audience an idea in context of higher education and shared the key takeaways which are marketing of inventions, outsource patenting activities, providing some incentives to investors.

For the second Plenary Session, CA Gaurav Arora, Senior Vice President of Kotak Mahindra Bank, recapitulates the journey of Industry 1.0 to Industry 4.0 and then the Industry 5.0 that introduces the coexistence of machinery and humans. To be ready for the future one has to upskill themselves. The major problem is that one is attaining a degree but not skill therefore to prevent from being beaten by AI one should do the same. The afternoon sessions were tagged along by the mesmerizing cultural performances by Lloyd’s students & Gala Evening featuring “The Forgotten Cure”, Delhi based Musical Band.

Day 2 of the Lloyd’s International Conference started with a series of captivating discussions on the topic “Taking Higher Education to the Next Orbit: Make Education Globally Impactful” during the second panel discussion. The panelists were from various plethora of education backgrounds like Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar, Senior Professor from Indian Law Institute and Former Member, Law Commission of India said, “As per NEP-2020 law and medical students are excluded. Along with this the two important components for the society are education and compassion.” He also highlighted the importance of education for the economy. Dr.Anant Narayan Bhatt, Scientist-F from INMAS, Defence Research and Development Organization, emphasized on the fact that “Whatever the education was delivered till now, never used to reach the industry but NEP has changed the outset. Moreover, faculties should encourage students to carry out research and train them and provide a platform to do it.” “The Multidisciplinary approach adopted by NEP in respect of pharmaceutical industry” said Prof. Vidhu Aeri, Dean of JamiaHamdard (Hamdard University). Dr. Abha Yadav, Associate Professor from School of Competition Law and Market Regulations stressed enough on building the safe infrastructure with respect to districts for retention of girls. Also pointed out to Civil society and other agencies can help to build a better future. Mr. Kamal Chhabra, CEO & Lead Instructor, KC GlobEd, Mr.Kamal enumerated that recognising entrepreneurial skill is the key. One should focus on vocational education and bridging the gap between what industry needs and what university produces. This would ensure better collaboration between educational institutions. Mr. Manish Narang, Director of Medical Affairs APAC, Abbott Pharmaceutical Ltd., “Inclusion of AI in all aspects of education is significant & this Education New Policy shall provide the clarity of subject concepts and development of soft skills which is actually the need of the hour.” & Shri Rajeev Sharma, Scientist-F of Frontier and Futuristic Technology Division, Ministry of Science & Technology, highlighted the various initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology. Ms. Anuka Kumar, Leader - Academic Partnerships, IBM India smoothly moderate the second Panel Discussion.

Later in the session, the highlight of the Day 2 of this conference was the Vice Chancellors Round Table Discussion. In the session various Honorable Vice Chancellors from various renowned Universities joined and presented their valuable insights under one roof of the largest networking platform. Prof. Ramesh K. Goyal, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor from Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, Prof. Mohammad AfsharAlam, Vice Chancellor JamiaHamdard (Hamdard University), Prof. Abhay Kumar, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Pratap University, Jaipur, Prof. Tabrez Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of G.D. Goenka University, Gurugram, Prof Praveen Chandra, Dean and Prof of Guru Gobind Singh I P University, & Prof. KripaShanker, Former Vice Chancellor & Professor at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur. The essence of this elaborate discussion was how to improve the employment opportunities & simultaneously focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Also embarking the multidisciplinary approach & providing the access of Credit banks in educational institutions.

The third Plenary session was taken on the topic “Ossifying the academic leaders -Motivated, Energized, Enriched and Incentivized Faculty to realize the objectives of NEP” by Prof. Gowrisha Joshi. He is the Professor and Director at Centre for Educational and Social Studies, Bangalore. He expressed his views on the Educational Institutions & the importance of Learners interacting with learners. He also pointed out the struggle of Affordable & accessible education that should be provided. Providing every institute wants autonomous status, despite being private or public. He suggested that even academics should also work for NEP & make strategies for implementation. It is all about change management & depends on strategic planning to implement NEP. So self-renewal is the key.

The Last Plenary session focused on “Towards a more holistic education: Integrating core values of our culture and civilization in education” by Dr. DevidasGolhar, Principal of MarathwadaMitramandal College of Commerce (MMCC), Pune. He discussed the key changes that can be incorporated if NEP is implemented. He enumerated that implementation of reforms involving all stakeholders will be crucial & faculty members will be at the center of the fundamental reforms in the education system. He focused on Holistic and multidisciplinary education along with Establishment of MERU (Model multidisciplinary and Research Universities) for promoting research & Restructuring indigenous education system.

The Valedictory session of this Two Days AICTE Sponsored Lloyd’s International Conference was marked by the grace of Dr. Prof. Abhay Kumar. He is the Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, Pratap University, Jaipur. He congratulated the management for organizing the exemplary conference. He also suggested the relevance of good faculties in colleges and institutes to the management & to treat children as their own biological.

The Oral & Poster Presentation winners were felicitated during this event. Samridhi Thakur from G.L.U. bagged the First Prize, Mr. Vineet Kumar Ojha from Lloyd Institute of Management & Technology (Pharm.) got Second prize & Ms. Nidhi Srivastava from Research & Development Department, Decode DNA Pvt. Ltd. won the third prize for Poster Presentation. For the Oral Presentation the Ms. Ayesha Waheed from JamiaHamdard got the first prize, Ms. Ittishree from G.V.M. College of Pharmacy got second, & Mr. Gulshan fromGurugram University got third.

This conference is organized by the Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology (Pharm.) and sponsored by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). This event is partnered with Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University (DPSRU), Arbro Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd., Society of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (SPER).

This program was successfully conducted under the guidance of Patron: Shri. Manohar Thairani, President; Convenor: Dr. Vandana Arora Sethi, Group Director; Co-convenor: Prof. KanchanKohli, Director, Research & Publications; Coordinator: Dr. Chitra Gupta, Professor, & Co-coordinator Dr. Lalit K. Tyagi, Professor, Lloyd Institute of Management and Technology (Pharm.), Dr. Gaurav Kumar Jain, Associate Professor, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University.