Chaudhary Devi Lal University (CDLU), Sirsa, organised a one-day capacity-building and mentoring workshop focused on India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The workshop brought together faculty members, academic leaders and education experts to discuss the practical implementation of NEP guidelines and the kind of training teachers need to align with the new policy goals. The session also highlighted how universities can adopt flexible, multidisciplinary learning structures in line with NEP recommendations.
Workshops like the one conducted at CDLU help bridge this gap by offering a direct platform where educators can exchange ideas, clear doubts and understand what the policy demands in practical terms. Training and capacity-building are essential because they ensure that universities do not just adopt NEP on paper but actually make meaningful changes in classrooms, course design and student engagement. When teachers receive the right guidance, the policy’s objectives can be implemented more smoothly, benefiting students and strengthening higher education overall.
Key Highlights of the Workshop
The workshop at CDLU covered several important areas linked to NEP 2020. Sessions were designed to help teachers and departments understand the roadmap for effective implementation. Key points included:
• Understanding the core principles and long-term goals of NEP 2020
• Familiarising educators with flexible curriculum models
• Adopting multidisciplinary and holistic teaching approaches
• Aligning evaluation practices with new competency-based methods
• Encouraging research, innovation and experiential learning
• Building teacher capacity through continuous training
Experts also explained how universities can restructure their academic programmes by introducing skill-based courses, multiple entry-exit options and credit transfers.
Focus on Teacher Development and Mentoring
One of the central discussions in the workshop was teacher readiness. NEP 2020 places a strong emphasis on improving teaching quality and updating educators with modern pedagogical skills. The workshop highlighted:
• The need for structured mentoring programmes inside universities
• Training teachers to cope with blended learning and technology integration
• Building academic leadership at the departmental level
• Encouraging teachers to adopt student-centric methods rather than traditional lecture-based teaching
Participants shared examples from their own work, including how small modifications in teaching methods can create more engaging learning environments.
Importance of Capacity-Building Under NEP 2020
Capacity-building is one of the biggest requirements for NEP’s smooth implementation. Without proper training, universities often struggle to translate policy into daily academic practices. The workshop stressed why capacity-building matters:
• Teachers understand policy reforms better when they receive hands-on guidance
• Departments are able to redesign their syllabus with more confidence
• Institutions become better prepared for future accreditation and performance-based assessments
• Students receive the benefits of a modern, skill-oriented education system
The sessions also encouraged universities to collaborate with other higher education institutions for shared learning and policy implementation support.
Participation and Response from Faculty
Faculty members from various departments attended the workshop and appreciated the clarity provided by the experts. Many participants said that the workshop helped break down NEP 2020 into simple, actionable steps that can be introduced gradually. They also expressed interest in having more such training sessions in the future.
