Jesuit meet focuses on NEP impact on minority instts
Times of India | 28 January 2024
Kolkata: The impact of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on minority institutions is one of the issues that will be discussed at the two-day annual conference of Jesuit Higher Education Association, South Asia (JHEASA) that began on Saturday at St Xavier’s College, Kolkata.
JHEASA secretary Father Joe Arun said, “The NEP does not mention minorities.We will deliberate on the impact of NEP on minority institutions and discuss how we will prepare ourselves. We will take the opportunities that the NEP has given and restructure and reorganize ourselves. Jesuit’s response will be scientific and strategic.”
Article 30 of the Constitution which upholds the rights of the minorities will also figure in the discussion.
Principals, vice-chancellors and directors of colleges, universities and business schools had come together to discern what is the next direction in the current political and cultural context when there is polarization on the lines of religion.
The meeting also touched upon apprehensions about 40 countries across the world going to the polls this year and dangers of many autocrats being elected in democratic elections. Wars between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Palestine also figured in the discussions.
St Xavier’s College Kolkata principal Fr Dominic Savio highlighted several challenges that higher education institutions face ranging from issues related to NEP, repositioning of history, prioritizing of socio-political issues and hindrance to pluralism in democracy. “Our concern is how to look at them from the Jesuit perspective so that our education system is not affected,” Savio said.
The meeting focused on collaboration and networking as the key to face challenges and respond to opportunities. St Xavier’s University vice-chancellor Fr Felix Raj feels that without networking and collaboration, an institution stands alone and there is no impact.
“When you network with other institutions, you become stronger and your impact is larger. St Xavier’s University is a case study of successful networking. We are also insisting on collaboration and the NEP also talks about it, both within the country and outside the country,” said Fr Felix Raj, adding that the more advantaged institutions should help less advantaged institutions with resources. Fr Felix Raj was given the Magis Medal for his commitment, dedication and hard work in advancing the mission of Jesuit Higher Education in South Asia.