From studying the works of ancient scholars like Aryabhata, Panini and Brahmagupta, texts and scriptures to vedic science, the University Grants Commission (UGC) is set to train over 10,000 faculty members from across universities and colleges in the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in different phases between November 2024 and March 2025.
The initiative is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. The IKS or Bharatiya Jnana Parampara is an integral part of the NEP. The new education policy envisions an educational ecosystem deeply rooted in Indian ethos.
IKS is being taught as a subject across colleges including engineering and management institutes in the country.
UGC, the higher education regulator, has asked the colleges and universities to submit their applications by October 2 for the six-day basic training programme, which will be organised by it.
“Across a grand total of 75 institutions, the training program is set to run from November 2024 to March 2025 to equip 10,000 faculty members and 1,000 registered research scholars from universities and colleges across the nation. The NEP boldly placed IKS at the heart of Indian education. Nationwide, the training programme equips faculty members with the tools to seamlessly integrate Indian Knowledge Systems into their teaching practices,” the UGC stated in a letter urging all higher education institutions (HEIs) to apply for the same.
The NEP advocates for curricula and pedagogy grounded in the Indian context. It seeks to infuse the corpus of Indian Knowledge System across disciplines in HEIs.
The IKS training module includes introduction to the Panch Maha Bhutas, concept of a Sutra, introduction to the concept of non-translatables (for example -Dharma, Punya, Aatma, Karna, Yagna, Shakti, Varn, Jati, Moksha, Puraana etc) and the importance of using a proper terminology. It also includes introduction to philosophical foundations of IKS such as Samkhya, Vaisheshika and Nyaya.
The module suggests incorporating a few case studies such as Mathematics of Madhava, Astronomical models of Aryabhata, foundational aspects of Ayurveda, Ashtanga Yoga, Sangeet and Natya Shastra, among others.
“The courses designed for training are broad-based and not just limited to the specific discipline for a faculty member. It includes introductory material on all aspects. It would enable them to explore the most fundamental aspects of IKS,” said an official associated with the course design and training.
There are also discipline specific courses, the official added, covering chemistry, metallurgy, mathematics and literature, among other subjects, that offer a deep dive into the ancient texts and concepts on each of these areas. For example, mathematics in the vedas and Sulva Sutras. It will also include studying the life and works of ancient scholars in the subject such as Aryabhata, Pingala and Panini.
The first phase of the faculty training began in July 2023 with the setting up of an IKS cell under the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) to promote interdisciplinary research on all aspects of IKS, preserving and disseminating of the same for societal applications.
The training is provided by various agencies including the Human Resource Development Centres (HRDCs) and Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya National Mission on Teachers Training (PMMMNMTT).
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