Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurates second IDP workshop, releases UGC Compendium of Regulations

NEW DELHI: Union education minister Dharmendra Pradesh on Wednesday inaugurated the one-day workshop for universities to develop their Institution Development Plan (IDP). The event coincided with the release of the UGC Compendium of Regulations. This compendium consolidates all University Grants Commission (UGC) rules, regulations, and notifications issued from 1957 to December 2023.

“The workshop is aimed to empower Higher Educational Institutions for their academic and professional excellence, in the light of UGC Guidelines on IDP. Aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the IDP provides institutions a clear roadmap to develop their vision, mission and goals for a future-ready education at institutional level,” the UGC said.

Speaking at the event, Dharmendra Pradhan said: “The higher educational institutes of the country will play a crucial role in realising the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of Viksit Bharat by embracing the core values and spirit of NEP 2020.”

He also talked about the role of universities in redefining the purpose and structure of education, doubling the gross enrolment ratio, achieving academic, research and innovation excellence. He also announced plans to transform around 5,000 higher educational institutions into centres-of-excellence through holistic and inclusive approaches.

“The institutional development plan will focus on enhancing the competencies of our vast demography, facilitating learner-centric and multidisciplinary education, integrating Bharatiya Bhasha in higher learning, prioritising innovation, entrepreneurship and job-creation as an outcome, capacity building of teachers and achieving the global standard of research and development,” he added.

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He further said that the education system in India “must address 21st-century aspirations and create solutions for local and global challenges”. He exhorted the academic fraternity to work in a focused and time-bound manner to reinvent their institutions, transforming the higher educational landscape and achieving national priorities.

The event was attended by K Sanjay Murthy, secretary of department of higher education, ministry of education; UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar, and NS Kalsi, former chairperson, NCVET and heads of around 200 HEIs across India. The workshop was held at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA).

UGC Compendium of Regulations

The compendium, which consists of all UGC rules and notifications from 1957 to 2023, will serve as a valuable resource for institutions as they develop and implement their IDP, the statutory body said.

“This comprehensive resource is a valuable tool for higher educational institutions and students alike, providing a single, accessible source for understanding the frameworks governing Indian higher education,” it said.

The education minister informed that the UGC Compendium of Regulations includes 15 rules, 87 regulations, and 28 notifications and covers a wide range of topics, including inspection, fitness of institutions for grants, return of information, budget and accounts, establishments, affiliation, autonomy, accreditation, admission and fees, specification of degrees, and other miscellaneous matters. The 1,100+ pages compendium is available in PDF and e-book format on the UGC official website.

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Institution Development Plan (IDP)

UGC chairman emphasised the significance of “IDP as a roadmap for growth and excellence for higher educational institutions”. He highlighted how the IDP guidelines empower HEIs to take charge of their strategic development, promoting a culture of continuous improvement and ensuring they remain future-ready.

The inaugural workshop was organised in April 2024 and the second workshop also witnessed participation of experts and representatives from universities across the country to discuss IDP. “By providing a framework for setting clear goals, allocating resources, and monitoring progress, IDPs enable institutions to enhance their quality, relevance, and impact,” he added.