Panel discussion on “Emerging Disciplines and their Prospects and Challenges in Manipur” kicks off

IMPHAL, Jul 9
Education Minister Dr Thokchom Radheshyam  today attended the inauguration session of a two day panel discussion on “Emerging Disciplines and their Prospects and Challenges in Manipur” sponsored by the State Project Directorate of Rashtriya Uchchtar Shiksha Abhiyan.
He said that the focus of subjects offered in the Higher Educational Institutions (HEI) of the State should have relevance in the modern times and should be productive in the future.
"We must ensure that the subjects and disciplines provided in the colleges and HEIs syllabus are upgraded with the changing times. The effectiveness of the subjects or courses offered, need to be analysed in the context of the market demand and their purpose in the development of the society."
He said that before introducing a new discipline or subject, one must keep in mind the interest of the students and future of the society and added that employability is only one of the aspects of education.
The Minister expressed hope that the aim of the panel discussion will help in addressing the key issues to improve the quality of higher education.
Dr Th Radheshyam acknowledging the shortage of teachers in the State stated that unlike other departments, appointing a teacher is not an easy task.
After a series of meetings with the officials concerned of the Department of Higher and Technical Education, a plan to conduct a survey and audit for the various subjects and disciplines, students-teachers ratio and other related infrastructural features of the HEIs was suggested.
He opined that depending on the feasibility, a centrally located institution may be allocated to provide classes on subjects where there is a lesser number of students to address the issue of teacher shortage for some extent.
Commissioner, Higher & Technical Education, M Harekrishna said that there is a need to discuss the necessary steps being taken up in the higher education sector of the State.
The global scientific and technological advancement have questioned and challenged every existing facets related to education.  Emerging necessities and demands accelerated evolution of new subjects. There has been a paradigm shift in the higher education sector creating a gap.
He added that it is therefore important that the younger generations are directed to a knowledge-based society where knowledge attained is used to bring development and advancement in the society.
The two day panel discussion will have four technical sessions on the themes – The Gap between Present Curriculum and Present Employability Crisis to be chaired by Prof W Nabakumar Singh and Necessity of Pedagogical Approach in Academic Institutions for Developing Originality of Learners – Innovations, Creativity, Problems Solving, etc to be chaired by Prof Joykumar Meitei Laishram on the first day.
On the second day of the session on July 10, the discussions will be held on the theme – Need of Overhauling Curriculum Challenges to be chaired by Dr RK Nimai Singh and Examination Reforms for Quality and Learner Friendly to be chaired by Prof W Nabakumar Singh.
The main aim of this panel discussion is to address the selected themes and invite the experts from industries, academic and societal bases to discuss the key issues to improve the quality of higher education.
This discussion will provide a chance of sharing experience and expertise between different stakeholders for mutual benefits, integrating inputs on teaching learning processes for developing the state and nation as a whole.
The programme was attended by Director, University & Higher Education Department, Khumanthem Diana Devi, subject experts, teachers, officials concerned and students.
        DIPR