From the inception, Centurion University’s foundation has been intrinsically interwoven with responsible use of resources, waste management and sustainability. The University has pursued a “Mini-Max” model, i.e., minimum input and maximum output. The entire waste water of all campuses (Centurion is a residential university) is treated, oxygenated through bio-remedial measures and reused for plants and trees. The wastewater treatment pond is maintained with adequate pH balance; hence it has life under and above the water such as fish and aquatic animals (under), cranes, wild ducks and other water-birds (above) and their thriving bio-diversity.
The impact and outcome of education must result in developing productive youth/citizens for sustainable nation building, making the world a better place to live. Any country and society to evolve, needs citizens who could be thought as leaders, action leaders, thought-cum-action leaders and vice-versa.
Every university which is engaged in UG teaching must blend traditional, applied, active and action learning so that graduates evolve into productive citizens. Domain specific teaching and learning is essential for competency-linked education, especially at the undergraduate level. The course and curricula must be concurrent, market driven and dynamic with sustainability-related learning as a component.
Centurion University has walked this path, hence, has an ecosystem for active and action learning by establishing real-time market linked design and production facilities. The New Education Policy (NEP), the magna carta of Indian Education ecosystem reforms, has paved the way to a radical paradigm shift in the design, development and delivery of the education system. Universities are encouraged to be innovative, imaginative and creative in teaching, learning and research. Education needs to be linked with employability and employment, entrepreneurship, entrepreneurs and enterprises. Hence, universities need to radically change their processes and practices to be more entrepreneurial.
Indian regulators and accreditation bodies, which are still dominated by traditional educationists, have not fully embraced the vision of NEP. Centurion University has recently gone through the process of accreditation and we faced enormous challenges for acceptance for the new-age thinking and learning ecosystem, which is the confluence of traditional, applied, active and action learning. The opinion makers and vociferous members of the visiting team, which overshadowed the majority of the members, were more focused on traditional learning.
Universities must be granted more autonomy and geographical restriction should be replaced with restrictions as per domain expertise and best practices. Once a university goes through an accreditation process, which is as per the national standards, the operation should be allowed nation-wide. This will ensure a level-playing field, fair competition and affirmative access.
Industry bodies should facilitate their member companies to actively scout for partnerships who cater to difficult geographies, rural regions, remote areas, socially and marginalised segments and differently-abled youth. Unfortunately, industries partner with branded institutes or urban-centric large institutes, more for cosmetic reasons than for creating intrinsic value. Industries should be privy to tax incentives and a percent of CSR funds should be earmarked for institutes who serve rural and difficult geographies without any quid-pro-quo.
Centurion University has been privileged and lucky to establish partnerships with various industries across borders and offer education from KG to PG in residential mode in an inclusive environment.
However, Centurion has millions of dreams to accomplish and still a billion of miles to walk!
