A National Workshop on Leadership Development for College Principals was successfully conducted from February 3 to 7, organized by the Department of Higher and Professional Education, National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi. The workshop brought together 30 principals from various states, including both autonomous and affiliated colleges, to discuss the evolving challenges and strategies in higher education leadership. From Nagaland, Dr. R.K. Behera, Principal, MGM College, participated in the prestigious event, engaging in critical deliberations on governance, institutional management, and academic excellence.
Key Objectives of the Workshop was to facilitate a systematic review of the higher education system in response to changing global and national requirements, address challenges in leadership, governance, and institutional management and develop strategic approaches to overcoming challenges in college administration. The workshop covered a wide range of transformative themes, including Leadership in Governance of Higher Education, multidisciplinary in Higher Education, Enhancing Teaching-Learning and Technology Integration, Developing Research Capacity in Higher Education, Reform Initiatives under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Internationalization of Higher Education, Financial Management & Resource Mobilization, AI Tools Revolutionizing Teaching, Learning, and Research, Promoting Teaching Excellence in Higher Education
The sessions were led by eminent scholars and educationists, including Prof. Aarti Srivastava, Prof. Simon Thompson, Prof. K. Srinivas, Prof. Emily Danvers, Prof. Ratnabali, Prof. Mona Khare, Prof. Pritam Khandelwal, Prof. Sangeeta Angom. The workshop underscored the necessity of urgent and strategic educational reforms to ensure that higher education institutions remain globally competitive, inclusive, and innovative. Key areas of reform included:
- NEP 2020 Implementation: Principals deliberated on ways to effectively adopt the multidisciplinary approach, skill-based education, and flexible curricula outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Governance and Leadership: Strengthening institutional autonomy, administrative efficiency, and transparent decision-making were identified as critical for sustainable growth.
- Technology Integration & AI in Education: Experts emphasized the revolutionary impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in teaching, learning, and research, urging colleges to embrace edtech solutions, smart classrooms, and digital pedagogy.
- Enhancing Teaching-Learning Practices: A key discussion point was the promotion of student-centric and outcome-based education, along with the need for faculty training programs to improve teaching effectiveness.
- Developing Research Culture: Participants explored strategies to increase research output, secure funding, and collaborate with national and international institutions to drive academic innovation.
- Resource Mobilization & Financial Sustainability: Addressing the financial challenges of higher education institutions, the workshop highlighted the need for diversified funding sources, industry partnerships, and policy support for sustainability.
The workshop provided an invaluable platform for higher education leaders to engage in knowledge-sharing, policy discussions, and capacity-building, empowering them to drive excellence in academic institutions across the country.
