Agartala (Tripura) [India], December 21 : Tripura University, in collaboration with the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, organised a two-day national workshop on December 19 and 20. The workshop, titled "National Education Policy 2020: Financial Application and Resource Mobilization by Higher Educational Institutions," aimed to address the critical challenges of implementing the NEP 2020 in the Northeastern region.
Prof. Ganga Prasad Prasain, VC, Tripura University said, "The theme of the workshop was "National Education Policy 2020: Financial Application and Resource Mobilization by Higher Educational Institutions. This event brought together representatives from all the states of Northeast India, including finance officers, registrars, directors of higher education departments, and other key stakeholders. A total of 50 participants attended the workshop."
"The workshop aimed to explore practical ways to implement NEP 2020 in colleges and universities effectively. The event featured eight resource persons from different parts of India who shared their expertise and insights on the subject. Participants gained valuable knowledge, which they can use to strengthen the implementation of NEP 2020 in their respective states," he further said.
Discussions focussed on financial planning, resource mobilization, and strategies for higher educational institutions to effectively implement NEP 2020.
Prof. Mona Khare, Prof & Head, Dept. of Education Finance, NIEPA said, "This two-day workshop was entirely focused on the Northeastern region, as there are numerous issues and challenges specific to this area. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has introduced several policies aimed at transforming higher education institutions. For example, skills training, which was previously not a part of higher education, has now been made mandatory. Similarly, there is a strong focus on research and innovation. A significant aspect of NEP 2020 is its emphasis on supporting economically disadvantaged groups and students from underprivileged backgrounds who are now joining colleges and universities. The policy outlines the development of robust support systems for these students. However, implementing these changes requires substantial financial resources."

"We know that resources are always limited. As institutions expand and the number of students increases, the financial demands grow proportionally. The new education policies introduce various initiatives that will require significant funding," she added.
The workshop featured eight distinguished resource persons from across India who shared their expertise. The sessions aimed to equip participants with actionable insights to strengthen the implementation of NEP 2020 in their respective institutions and states.
This workshop was tailored to address the unique challenges faced by the Northeastern region, where higher educational institutions often encounter limited resources and infrastructural constraints. The NEP 2020 introduces transformative policies, such as mandatory skills training, a strong emphasis on research and innovation, and robust support systems for economically disadvantaged students. However, these changes require substantial financial backing, posing a significant challenge for institutions in the region.
A key objective of the workshop was to explore ways for higher education institutions to generate their own resources and achieve financial self-reliance. With the rising number of students and the expansion of initiatives under NEP 2020, the financial demands on institutions continue to grow. Participants engaged in discussions to devise sustainable strategies for resource mobilization while ensuring the quality and inclusivity of higher education.
This initiative by Tripura University and NIEPA marks an important milestone in addressing the specific needs of the Northeast while aligning with the broader national education goals.