The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of the Central University of Punjab, Bathinda (CUPB) under the patronage of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari organized a special lecture on “Universal Human Values”. The keynote speaker of this event was Prof. Rajneesh Arora, Chairman, National Coordination Committee for Induction Programme, AICTE and Former Vice Chancellor, IK Gujral Punjab Technical University, Kapurthala.While addressing the participants Prof. Rajneesh Arora mentioned that the National Education Policy-2020 (NEP-2020) has clearly defined that education is fundamental for achieving full human potential, developing an equitable and just society, and promoting national development. He emphasized that the above aspirations articulated in NEP-2020 can be achieved with the incorporation of value education which will develop the right understanding, scientific temperament, teamwork, and fearlessness; and promote the values of truth, love, compassion; and co-existence among citizens. He underlined that the two most important components of Human Education i.e. Human World Vision and Human Values are missing in present-day education which need needs to be addressed through the incorporation of Universal Human Values (UHV) in the present curricula.During his lecture, Prof. Rajneesh Arora highlighted the role of UHV in the Holistic Value Based Education System and asserted that the 40 years of experimentation journey of the introduction of UHV in mainstream education at various HEIs have given encouraging results at the individual and institutional level.
He exhorted those eminent personalities including Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Former President of India; Prof. Anil D Sahastrabhudha, Chairman AICTE and others have also advocated for the inclusion of UHV in the education system. He also shared his academic experiences to underline that UHV can be taught at the Higher Education level for the creation of Equitable Society. He urged the CUPB authorities to incorporate UHV programme in the core curriculum of the university.In his presidential address, Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, the Vice Chancellor, stated that the Indian Knowledge System is well aligned to UHV and our bharatiya philosophy of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah and Sarbat da Bhala has inspired our ancestors to live in harmony with nature. He asserted that the modern education system and our fast-paced lifestyle has detached us from our traditional values, and in consideration of this various transformative educational reforms including multidisciplinary education and others, has been introduced under NEP-2020 focused to provide value education to youngsters for the creation of the equitable human society. He inspired the students of higher education to learn and practice UHV by following the ‘learn, unlearn and relearn’ approach.At the onset of the programme, Prof. Monisha Dhiman, Director IQAC, welcomed the participants and introduced the keynote speaker. Prof. Tarun Arora moderated the event. Towards the end, Shri Kanwal Pal Singh Mundra, the Registrar, gave the formal vote of thanks. Faculty, non-teaching staff, research scholars and students of the University attended this programme.