Mr. Naresh Grover,
Director of the All-India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), along with
his team, recently visited Auroville, a one-of-a-kind experimental township in
South India. The visit was inspired by interactions with students from Yuva
Sangam, who had recently explored Auroville and shared enthusiastic accounts of
its unique ethos and innovative development model. Captivated by their
insights, Mr. Grover and his team decided to experience Auroville firsthand.
A key highlight of the visit was a tour of Isai Ambalam School, an innovative educational institution in Auroville. Mr. Grover and his team observed students engaging in activities such as gardening, STEM projects (building treehouses and playgrounds), and interacting with animals, including cows and dogs, fostering a Gurukulam-like environment. Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan explained the school’s curriculum, which integrates academics with nature, culture, and creativity, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP).
Mr. Grover was particularly intrigued by the school’s approach to teaching mathematics, blending Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS) with modern programming and visualization techniques, creating a balance between Eastern and Western pedagogies. He encouraged Auroville schools to participate in AICTE’s Ministry of Innovation Cell (MIC) programs for schools and extended an invitation to Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan to share these practices with AICTE for potential implementation nationwide.
Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan also shared insights about Auroville’s unique Bachelor of Vocation (B.Voc) program in affiliation with Pondicherry University. This program equips students with real-world skills, universal values, and leadership capabilities, fostering a shift from dependence to interdependence with community, nation, and the world. Mr. Grover lauded the program’s transformative impact on youth, promoting holistic and sustainable development.
Mr. Grover and Dr. Sanjeev Ranganathan further discussed the natural integration of Integral Education principles in Auroville schools, which have influenced the NEP. They explored avenues for collaboration and outreach initiatives to extend Auroville’s educational practices beyond the township.
Additionally, Mr. Grover expressed interest in Auroville’s participation in initiatives like the *Smart India Hackathon (SIH)*. SIH, envisioned to promote innovation and out-of-the-box thinking among young minds, aims to institutionalize a model that harnesses the creativity and technical expertise of students for the nation’s benefit. Through SIH 2024, the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) seeks to crowdsource solutions to improve governance, enhance quality of life, and address India’s pressing needs. Post-SIH, the Ministry is committed to developing, implementing, and deploying winning ideas by supporting the concerned ministries and departments in this endeavor.
In conclusion, Mr. Grover expressed gratitude to Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi for the warm welcome and commended Auroville’s remarkable contributions to education, sustainability, and innovation. He reaffirmed AICTE’s commitment to fostering collaborations that advance Auroville’s unique model across the nation.
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