By integrating ethical teachings available in IKS into higher education, institutions can aid students in developing a sense of social accountability, compassion, and ethical decision-making.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) plays a key role in shaping and regulating higher education in India. The NEP 2020 has emphasized the promotion of Indian languages, arts, and culture and has recommended blending the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) into curriculums at all levels of education. To enable the seamless integration of IKS with contemporary subjects, the UGC has been proactively promoting measures to facilitate and maintain the rich heritage of the IKS in diverse disciplines passed down through generations of knowledge creators and practitioners. UGC has initiated several efforts to integrate and disseminate the IKS within the contemporary higher education system.
India has a rich and diverse knowledge heritage that evolved over thousands of years in disciplines such as philosophy, arts, sciences, technology, astronomy, mathematics, medicine, economics, political science, and social sciences and ethics. The IKS has the potential to complement and enrich contemporary higher education by providing a more comprehensive understanding of human knowledge, civilization, and cultural heritage and bringing benefits to students, academia, and society at large.
The inclusion of the IKS higher education allows students to appreciate that knowledge is interconnected and interdependent, prompting students to view subjects in a broader context. The IKS results from critical thinking, logical reasoning, and reflective inquiry. Students studying IKS can develop analytical skills and learn to approach problems from diverse perspectives, fostering creativity and scholarly agility.
Studying IKS as part of modern education can foster interdisciplinary research resulting in a harmonious blend of various knowledge systems. An example is the 5-year integrated B.Sc.-M.Sc. program in Ãyurveda-Biology at the School of Sanskrit and Indic Studies, JNU, introduced in 2020 when I was the Vice-Chancellor. This program is run by 15 faculty members from different schools of JNU and 7 Adjunct Faculty members from outside JNU. The main objective of this program is to study the vast expanse of knowledge in the field of Ãyurvedic and related sciences from the perspective of mainstream contemporary studies in biological sciences.
NEP2020 considers instilling ethics and values in India›s young people as a critical mandate of education for the students to evolve as responsible citizens. The IKS underlines moral values, ethics, and principles for leading a righteous life. By integrating these ethical teachings available in IKS into higher education, institutions can aid students in developing a sense of social accountability, compassion, and ethical decision-making vital for balanced living.
The NEP2020 underlines the importance of awareness and sensitivity toward sustainable development. The IKS promotes the view that human well-being is intertwined with the health and sustainability of the environment. Our students must be conscious of ethical living to minimize environmental deterioration, employ agricultural methods that promote soil fertility, save water, and lessen the dependence on fertilizers, leading to sustainable farming practices. For generations, village communities in India have developed numerous techniques, such as community-based protection of forests, water bodies, and natural resources and the ability to deal with natural disasters and environmental changes, which are essential in modern times for the sustainable administration of local ecosystems. UGC›s guidelines and curriculum framework for environment education at the undergraduate level are expected to cater to students from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and include topics to sensitize students about India›s commitment to achieving sustainable development goals.
UGC recognizes the importance of training faculty members to develop expertise in the IKS to teach and engage students in IKS effectively. In collaboration with the IKS cell established by the Ministry of Education, UGC is now training 1,000 teachers from across India in IKS to familiarize faculty members with the nuances of the IKS. By equipping educators with a deep understanding of IKS, the UGC aims to create a more holistic and culturally enriched learning environment. Faculty members, well-versed in the IKS, can foster a more culturally prudent and inclusive learning environment. This enhances students› appreciation of their cultural heritage and promotes critical thinking and a broader perspective on global issues.
To encourage students to research IKS, UGC has introduced IKS as a subject in the UGC-National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET), a prestigious examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) on behalf of the UGC. Those who clear the UGC-NET in IKS will become eligible for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) award in Indian universities for Ph.D. research in IKS. Such a scheme will provide a steady stream of Ph.D. degree holders in IKS for developing academic and research programs in Universities. UGC has issued guidelines to provide a roadmap of various disciplines of IKS into undergraduate and postgraduate curricula and provide hand-holding to the universities. Three comprehensive courses on IKS in engineering, science and technology, and humanities and social sciences are now available on the SWAYAM platform, which learners can access freely. We do not want IKS to be taught as a separate subject. It should be integrated into the regular curricula where possible.
NEP2020 says for purposes of cultural enrichment and national integration, all young Indians should be aware of the rich and vast array of languages of their country and the treasures that they and their literature contain. Multilingualism encourages empathy and better understanding among people from various linguistic backgrounds. Multilingualism helps build effective communication channels and enhances intercultural exchange, paving the way for mutual regard and partnership.
Incorporating the IKS into higher education through Indian languages promotes a feeling of pridefulness and cultural essence among students. It enables them to connect with their heritage and value the contributions of ancient Indian scholars to human knowledge. UGC is already working on bringing out textbooks for undergraduate programs in Indian languages by involving specialists from across the university ecosystem.
UGC also promotes empanelling of Artists/Artisans-in-Residence in Higher Educational Institutions. Taking advantage of the intellectual and creative talent in various art forms and crafts available within the country, which are not formally connected to mainstream academia, HEIs can adopt an integrated initiative to imbibe the skills and creativity of artists and artisans, augmenting the campus teaching-learning resources. It is imperative that the experience and expertise of such individuals outside the mainstream academic system are effectively utilized in our HEIs to meet the needs of the current expansion of the Higher Education System in tune with the NEP2020.
Because India has become a leading nation globally, introducing the IKS into higher education can attract international students seeking to explore the depth and wisdom of India›s traditional knowledge. Learning IKS has the potential to contribute to a holistic understanding of India›s culture.
Incorporating the IKS into higher education curricula is a visionary step that enriches students› learning experiences, promotes cultural understanding, and bridges the gap between traditional wisdom and modern knowledge. By embracing IKS, higher education institutions can create a more holistic, inclusive, and diverse learning environment that prepares students to tackle the complexities of the modern world with wisdom, ethics, and a deep appreciation for their cultural roots. Faculty members must be encouraged to design and teach these courses, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the IKS among students. The fusion of the IKS with contemporary education marks a crucial stride toward promoting a harmonious and globally relevant higher education system that celebrates the timeless wisdom of India’s cultural heritage.
We can expect to see the impact of these initiatives beyond the classroom, as HEIs play a pivotal role in moulding the younger generations to be culturally aware and ethically reliable individuals driving India’s advance as a knowledge-driven society.
Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar is Chairman, UGC, and former VC, JNU