1. Introduction:
In order to properly address the recurring problems that develop, the dynamic nature of the modern world has made it necessary to continuously acquire and update information. According to the theory, lifelong learning (LLL) is intended to help people improve their skills and knowledge so they can stay relevant. UNESCO (2022) defines lifelong learning as the wide range of learning activities that a person pursues throughout their lifetime with the goal of improving their knowledge, skills, and competences in a variety of areas, such as social, civic, personal, and employment-related ones. In order to continuously improve the capacities of our instructors, staff, and students, the university is committed to making sure that state-of-the-art facilities are available.
The importance of India's National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) and the UNESCO Policy on Lifelong Learning is acknowledged by the Integral University. The University works to support educational opportunities for women and other marginalized members of society in order to help them achieve their larger goals of lifelong learning, which is in line with NEP 2020. Additionally, our goal is to continue to foster a compassionate culture among our key stakeholders, including employees, students, and others, by highlighting the ongoing importance of lifelong learning.
2. Objectives:
The Integral University Lifelong Learning Access Policy aims to actualize the University's mandate, mission, and core principles. The objectives of the policy shall encompass the following:
- To enhance accessibility to high-quality educational and training opportunities for students, employees, and other individuals within society, with the aim of equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to actively contribute to the process of development.
- Establishing an environment that is conducive to effective teaching and learning, promoting a sense of harmony and fulfillment for all.
- Regular evaluation and revision of educational curricula/programmes to guarantee their alignment with societal and economic progress.
- Acknowledging exceptional achievements in the acquisition and generation of knowledge, pedagogy, and the process of learning.
- Fostering the development of entrepreneurial talents.
- Leveraging ICT infrastructure and institutionalizing its utilization for lifelong learning.
- Making investments in and modernizing its physical infrastructure and facilities.
- Championing the advancement of gender equality.
3. Strategies:
The Policy shall, by implication, focus on three core areas. These are teaching and learning, human resource development and lifelong learning programme. In all these domains, innovative approaches would be deemed imperative.
a. Teaching and Learning:
- Establish a pedagogical approach that prioritizes student-centered learning, fostering the development of critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate information, as opposed to relying solely on rote learning.
- Implement comprehensive pedagogical training programs for all academic staff members with the aim of enhancing their teaching and learning practices.
- Foster and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration among faculty and students, integrating pertinent knowledge and skills into the educational process.
- Promote equitable access to education for all students, regardless of disability or differences in religion, ethnicity, race, language, socio-economic status, or any other attributes that may contribute to discriminatory practices.
- Foster the development of independent learning abilities and attitudes that encourage lifelong learning throughout one's life, in order to adapt to the rapid advancements in information technology and at the workplace.
b. Human Resource Development :
The availability of high-caliber human resources is essential for Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham to fulfill its objective of upholding excellence in the dissemination of knowledge and skills for sustainable development. Therefore, Integral University will persist in:
- Recruiting, developing, motivating and retaining qualified staff for the purposes of teaching and research.
- Providing avenues for continuous training and professional growth for all members of the academic faculty with the aim of enhancing the quality of instruction and research across all educational programmes.
c. Lifelong learning programmes :
Integral University is committed to the designing, development and delivering of education and training programmes that seamlessly incorporate the domains of life, work, and learning in a continual basis, irrespective of geographical constraints. This inclusive approach extends to professionals and other individuals seeking to enhance their knowledge and skills. The University will ensure further development in this area by:
- Exploring partnerships with National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), NGOs, Social Workers, community members and other stakeholders to deliver trainings on literacy, numeracy, basic education, vocational skills, and beyond. Such partnerships would include access to relevant educational resources.
- Employing the services of qualified and passionate local community members as resource persons in the delivery of trainings so as to enhance ownership and sustainability.
- Utilizing technology to deliver such programmes wherever deemed feasible and imperative.
- Creating mechanisms that allow students to easily re-enter and re-commence their studies/training at various periods throughout their lives.
- Developing gender sensitive programs to address stereotyping as one of the barriers to lifelong learning.
- Developing short-term and stackable credentials that can be validated and widely accepted by employers. The short-term programmes have the potential to be either credit-bearing or non-credit bearing.
- Utilizing evening hours, weekends and summer or winter vacations to deliver such kind of programmes, whenever feasible, in order to widen access to lifelong learning specifically to adults and other working professionals.
4. Review of Policy :
To keep up with current national and international trends, the policy will be reviewed on a regular basis in compliance with university requirements.