DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH The University School of Open Learning, Panjab University, Chandigarh organised a virtual panel discussion on the topic 'National Education Policy 2020: Stakeholders Speak Up' through cisco-webex to deliberate upon different aspects of NEP 2020. Prof Madhurima Verma, Chairperson, USOL, welcomed the resource persons and talked about the rationale and significance of the event while the theme of the webinar was introduced by Sudhir Baweja, the organising secretary of the event and coordinator of Swami Vivekanand Studies, USOL. Prof Viney Kapoor Mehra, Vice Chancellor, Dr BR Ambedkar National Law University, Sonipat, argued that NEP 2020 answers what was decided in the Geneva Conference 1996, it is rooted in our culture, heritage and values. She also emphasized that it should be called National Education Policy and not new education policy. She argued that it is a student's friendly policy as it provides enough freedom and flexibility to the students. Moreover, its credit score bank will also help students in saving their precious time if they are not able to complete the degree. She appreciated the emphasis on the use of mother languages in the policy. She argued that NEP gives autonomy to the universities to collaborate with foreign universities which will help India in becoming "Academic Leader". She emphasized that new education policy should have included medical and legal professional courses as well, as there is immense need of imparting ethical values to students of these disciplines. Dr RC Sharma, faculty Dr BR Ambedkar University, Delhi, referred to Section 3.5 of the NEP which is related to State Open Schools and NIOS. He said that NEP aims for higher quality higher education for everyone. He also argued that the policy emphasizes on the significance of distance education institutes in the present scenario as according to the policy, all higher education institutes will have to run ODL as well as e-learning platforms to improve GER and to provide equal access and opportunities for everyone. Besides, he emphasised on the need for both synchronous and asynchronous learning and the benefits of ICT. The third speaker of the webinar, Prof Latika Sharma, from Dept of Education, Panjab University, Chandigarh, provided an overview of the NEP 2020 from the perspective of a teacher. She emphasized that teacher is the centre of an education system and the policy ensures overall growth and development of teachers as well. She further argued that in the changing scenario where cultural and social transformation is happening rapidly there was a need for a new education policy and the NEP 2020 serves the same as it targets inclusive, equitable and life-long learning. She deliberated upon all the important aspects of the policy such as duration of UG and PG courses, multiple entry and exit points, National Academic Credit Bank etc. But the basic thrust of her argument was how the policy values the role of a teacher. She touched upon various aspects of the policy with regard to teachers such as the recruitment and deployment of teachers, transfer policy, criteria for selection and promotion, pool of teachers, career progression etc. She also added that with the provision of hiring local eminent experts as master instructors, the policy aims to preserve the local cultures of India. The thrust of her deliberation was that the policy provides autonomy and more room for creativity to teachers. Prof Kuldeep Puri as the moderator of the panel discussion deliberated on the promises and challenges of the NEP 2020 and how a roadmap needs to be created for its better implementation. Prof Neeru, the event coordinator and co-ordinator, Department of Hindi, USOL proposed a vote of thanks by appreciating one and all who contributed and participated in the discussion. (editor@dailyworld.in)