Teachers of HEIs to be Trained in Indian Knowledge Systems: UGC

In accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes the integration of the Indian Knowledge System (IKS) in all levels of education, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced that teachers of all Higher Education Institutions will be required to participate in mandatory induction and refresher training programs focused on IKS. This decision is intended to ensure that teachers can effectively incorporate IKS into their teaching practices.

According to UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar, the training sessions will help faculty members to become familiar with IKS and develop strategies for incorporating it into their classroom teachings. The guidelines also aim to raise awareness among young people about the wealth of traditional knowledge in India and how it applies in modern contexts through scientific advancement and technology.

The IKS cell will conduct the training under the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It will cover a range of subjects like natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering, medicine, agriculture, performing arts, and vocational skills, among others. 

What is the Indian Knowledge System (IKS)?

The Indian knowledge system is a term used to refer to the intellectual and philosophical traditions of India, which have a long and rich history dating back to ancient times. 

One key feature of the Indian knowledge system is its holistic and interdisciplinary approach, which values the interconnectedness of all fields of study and seeks to understand the world holistically. Vedic literature like the Upanishads, Vedas, and Upvedas come under the umbrella of the IKS. 

There are many notable figures in the Indian knowledge system, including philosophers such as Sankara and Vasubandhu, mathematicians such as Aryabhata and Bhaskara, and scientists such as Charaka and Sushruta. These individuals have significantly contributed to a wide range of fields and helped shape India’s rich intellectual tradition.

Some of the Concepts of IKS Covered in the Training are:

• Ayurveda and its Concepts
• Yogasana and its effects on Cognition
• Sangeeta and Natya Shastra (Music and Dance)
• Forest Management and Urban Planning 
• Harappan and Traditional Water Management System of Gujarat
• Kautilya’s Concepts of Economics
• Weaving Mathematics into Beautiful Poetry by Bhaskaracharya
• The Discovery of Calculus by Kerala Astronomers
• Mathematical references in Vedas etc. 

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