Through numerous programs conducted at the Institute, the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Bhopal has made numerous efforts toward enacting the essential elements of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. In accordance with NEP 2020, IISER Bhopal seeks to deliver a strong emphasis on the curriculum, student development, performance, and well-being; faculty assistance in research and teaching; and being an entrepreneur.
“Policy framed out under NEP is timely and futuristic and the implementation requires the participation of various stakeholders, including faculty, administrators, students, and the Ministry of Education. If we all have common goals many of the policy’s objectives can be achieved. There are always challenges for any new changes that we bring in but if we have proper transparent methodologies, feedback mechanisms, and periodic revisions policy’s goals can be achieved”, Siva Umapathy, Director, IISER Bhopal, mentioned.
The IISER Bhopal has begun an array of educational programs utilizing an interdisciplinary approach as a component of NEP 2020. In the faculty of Mathematics and Physics, they comprise the Bachelor of Science (BS), the Bachelor of Science - Master of Science (BS-MS), and the Integrated Ph.D. These courses' flexibility fits well with the execution of NEP 2020. In addition, the institution has begun offering engineering and data science courses. A combination between engineering and natural science, the undergraduate BS degree in DSE has 50% of its students with science backgrounds and 50% with engineering backgrounds. Combining scientific knowledge with domain knowledge is consistent with NEP.
The institute has additionally implemented efforts to boost students' physical and mental health. The Institute has launched 'Undergraduate Clubs for Research Enthusiasts in Science and Technology' (UG-CREST) in an effort to foster scientific attitudes in the early days of a new graduate student. In order to provide pupils a chance to acquire knowledge from experienced workers and acquire knowledge about proficient interpersonal abilities, stress management, conflict handling, teamwork, and networking, the Institute has a devoted 'Institute Career Development and Placement Council’ that hosts soft skills workshops by specialist speakers. In order to assist students cultivate their practical knowledge and abilities for real-world employment conditions, research, and industrial internship opportunities have been made available to them at both the national and international levels.
A small number of Centers of Excellence have been established and created by the Institute to motivate faculty members to conduct transdisciplinary research. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at IISER Bhopal comprises academics who share their knowledge and expertise in fields including literature, philosophy, history, logic, and critical thinking to make graduates of science and engineering relevant to society in their workplace cultures. The Institute additionally allows teachers and students to seek out their entrepreneurial potential by operating the Innovation and Incubation Center (IICE), which is supported by the Department of Science and Technology.
