UGC announces the selection of NEP SAARATHIs

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has announced the selection of 721 National Education Policy, student ambassador for academic reforms in transforming higher education in India (NEP SAARATHIs) from 262 higher education institutions across the country. The list of students will be available on the UGC website from tomorrow onwards.

SAARATHI is an initiative of UGC to provide student participation in NEP implementation. The commission invited the nominations in May 2023. The selected SAARATHIs will work as per the roles and responsibilities described in NEP SAARATHI guidelines, available on the official website at ugc.gov.in.

The UGC launched SAARATHI in the backdrop of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) in May 2023 to recognize the role of students in shaping educational policies. According to the commission, it is a first-of-its-kind attempt to harness the unique perspectives, innovativeness, and leadership potential of students in policy-making at the national level.

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Guidelines of the scheme are available on the website and each SAARATHI is being intimated through a letter by the secretary, UGC.

Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, chairman of UGC said, “ Students are the cornerstones of any education policy. Acknowledging this, NEP SAARATHI is a first-time attempt that promotes student engagement in policy implementation to nurture leadership and civic sensibilities.”

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NEP SAARATHIs will lead a series of programmes within their campuses and communities, facilitating direct interaction with policymakers and regulatory leadership.

The UGC Chairman, in a video message, congratulated the NEP SAARATHIs and participating institutions and welcomed the SAARATHIs to join the NEP implementation journey in the country.