Jammu, Feb 23 (Reporter) The vibrant landscape of education in India witnessed a significant milestone as dignitaries and education stalwarts gathered in Jammu and Kashmir to deliberate upon implementation strategies for the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The event, organised by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Jammu, at its Jagti Campus, in collaboration with University Grants Commission (UGC), Department of Higher Education, and the J&K government, brought together more than 400 participants, including vice chancellors, deans, principals, and Heads of departments from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) from across the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The program was inaugurated by Chairman, UGC, Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar in presence Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Alok Kumar and Director, IIM Jammu, Professor B S Sahay. Professor B S Sahay presented an overview of the program, highlighting the importance of holding this innovative conference. During the inaugural ceremony, a short film on IIM Jammu was screened for the participants. Additionally, a film highlighting various initiatives undertaken by the University Grants Commission (UGC) in alignment with NEP 2020 was also shown on the occasion. On the occasion, Professor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar planted a sapling on the premises of the IIM Jammu Campus following a formal interaction with the students of IIM Jammu at the Agastya classroom, fostering valuable dialogue and insights. Besides, a press conference on the implementation of NEP 2020 in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh was held, followed by a visit to the state-of-the-art library, “Nalanda”, IIM Jammu. Following the formal proceedings, the participants engaged in thematic brainstorming sessions, dividing into ten groups to deliberate on specific areas of focus for NEP 2020 implementation. These groups covered a wide spectrum of topics, including multidisciplinary and Holistic Education, Digital Empowerment and Online Education, Skill Development and Employability, Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, Capacity building of teachers for quality education, Governance & Autonomy, Accreditation and Excellence, Equitable and Inclusive Education, Indian Knowledge System and Indian Languages, and Internationalisation of Education. Post the inaugural event, there were presentations put forward by the respective groups covering various topics discussed during the thematic brainstorming sessions. Following the presentations, the UGC Chairman, interacted with the participants including Vice-Chancellors, Deans, Principals, and Heads of Departments from Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) from across the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. During the conversation with the attendees, he expressed a revitalized determination and purpose to promote educational progress in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in accordance with the tenets delineated in NEP 2020. The collaborative efforts and insightful discussions that unfolded during these sessions underscored the commitment of the academic community towards realizing the objectives outlined in NEP 2020. The event concluded on an optimistic note, with participants expressing a renewed sense of purpose and commitment towards advancing the educational landscape in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in alignment with the principles outlined in NEP 2020...////...