NEP 2020 And Challenges and Opportunities in Research in Higher Education Institutes in Assam

@article{1723788,
      author = {Abu Shama Ahmed},
      title = {NEP 2020 And Challenges and Opportunities in Research in Higher Education Institutes in Assam},
      journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
      year = {2025},
      volume = {9},
      number = {1},
      pages = {2251-2260},
      issn = {2456-8880},
      url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1723788.pdf},
      abstract = {National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 treats research and knowledge creation as essential to the renewal of Indian higher education. Its proposals for multidisciplinary institutions, research-intensive learning, faculty and institutional autonomy, innovation, stronger research ecosystems and national-level research funding have particular significance for Assam, where higher education serves a geographically dispersed and socially diverse population. This article examines the challenges and opportunities associated with research in higher education institutes of Assam in the context of NEP 2020. The study follows a descriptive-analytical review design and draws on the NEP 2020, official higher-education statistics, Government of Assam documents, UGC materials, and relevant policy and research literature. The analysis shows that the research environment in Assam is shaped by uneven institutional capacity, differences in access to laboratories, libraries and digital resources, limited research funding and mentoring, competing teaching and administrative responsibilities, difficulties in inter-institutional collaboration, and the need for stronger systems of research integrity and dissemination. At the same time, the state has substantial research opportunities arising from its biodiversity, riverine and rural environments, indigenous and community knowledge, linguistic and cultural diversity, borderland location, agriculture, disaster management needs, public health concerns, education challenges and emerging digital economy. NEP 2020 provides a policy framework through which these contextual strengths can be connected with multidisciplinary research, undergraduate research experiences, institutional autonomy, innovation and entrepreneurship, community engagement, digital scholarship and national funding opportunities. The article proposes a state-level research ecosystem based on institutional research cells, mentoring networks, shared facilities, competitive seed grants, doctoral and post-doctoral linkages, open research practices, ethics training, research clusters and partnerships among colleges, universities, government, industry and communities. The paper argues that research capacity should not be concentrated only in a few metropolitan or research-intensive institutions. Strengthening teaching-oriented colleges and geographically remote institutions is necessary for an inclusive and regionally relevant research culture. The article concludes that effective implementation of NEP 2020 can convert structural constraints into opportunities if policy implementation is accompanied by sustained resources, transparent governance, capacity development and recognition of high-quality research in the social sciences, humanities, education, natural sciences and interdisciplinary fields.},
      keywords = {NEP 2020; Higher Education; Research in Assam; Research Capacity; Research Ecosystem; Multidisciplinary Research; Innovation; Research Funding; Research Integrity; Higher Education Institutions.},
      month = {July},
  }