The University Grants Commission (UGC) is encouraging all vice-chancellors, directors, and principals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to put forth three students from their respective institutions for consideration as NEP SAARTHIs.

Under the initiative titled ‘NEP SAARTHI- Student Ambassador for Academic Reforms in Transforming Higher Education in India,’ the UGC seeks to involve students in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. UGC Chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar states that the initiative aims to instill an environment where students can productively engage as active participants to make the most out of the provisions under NEP 2020.

All Vice Chancellors, Directors, and Principals of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are required by the UGC to propose three students from their institutions as potential NEP SAARTHIs, along with a brief justification for the recommendation.

The Chairperson of the UGC emphasized the importance of selecting students with remarkable personalities, exceptional communication skills, and effective organizational capabilities for conducting outreach programs, as well as displaying creativity, accountability, and leadership qualities.

The UGC will handpick 300 NEP SAARTHIs from the nominees and duly communicate the outcome to the candidates. To ensure that the students perform their roles efficiently in hybrid mode, they will receive comprehensive orientation and guidance.

The period for nominations shall remain open until the end of June. The announcement of the NEP SAARTHIs will occur in July, during the orientation event. A certificate of recognition shall be awarded to the NEP SAARTHIs.

Additionally, they shall receive mentions on the UGC’s official social media handles and invitations to all relevant online events organized by the UGC. They will also receive an opportunity to publish an article in the UGC newsletter.

The NEP SAARTHI will act as Ambassadors that promote NEP 2020, which explains to New Education Policy 2020. It will be helpful to create awareness about the same. This will provide easy access to information and will be promoting the initiatives about NEP 2020 in Social Media. They must also collect feedback from students to improve the policy and provide guidance to students and other stakeholders regarding NEP 2020 initiatives and how they can benefit from them.

In addition to planning events, debates, discussions, competitions, quizzes, nukkads, and chaupals, the NEP SAARTHIs will have to connect with student groups, establish a dialogue between students, faculty members, administrators, and UGC, prepare brief notes on each NEP initiative for display on campus, launch social media activities or campaigns, and set up NEP help desks at college festivals.