Pune: In India the total number of students and teachers is so huge that it equals the total number of population in many countries in the world. This is the Digital Age and with the help of digitistion and online education we continue teaching and managed to complete the academic year. We have not wasted academic year of any student in the country, said Education Minister, Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal.

The Education Minister was invited as the Chief Guest for the the fifth edition of the Annual International Conference on Internationalisation of Higher Education (IHE 2021) organised by Symbiosis International (Deemed University) SIU and Association of Indian Universities (AIU) in Collaboration with Obreal Global India Chapter and The World Bank.

"Education is responsible for the overall development of a human being. We have a legacy of the Universities like Takshila and Nalanda. India was the education leader in the world during those times. We have always considered the world is one family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," Dr Pokhriyal said.

Talking about NEP 2020 (National Education Policy), Dr Pokhriyal mentioned that NEP 2020 is inclusive and innovative. He said, "Now we will not only search for talent but will give quality content as well. We are putting efforts to go further in all-round areas of education. We are moving forward in the areas like research and development. We have launched a study in India program. We have unique things to offer to the world like Yoga, Ayurveda, Music, Arts, and Literature etc."

"The last person in our country should get the benefit of the policy. We are inviting International Universities in our Country. We have formed the Academic Book of Credit to facilitate students to become its academic account holders and pave the way for seamless student mobility between or within degree. NEP 2020 is also focusing on the education and development of the teacher," he stated.

Dr Pokhriyal concluded, "We want to create human beings and not machines. We want to make our nation a global superpower and want to make the world a good happy family."

Dr Anil Kumar Nassa, Member Secretary National Board of Accreditation (NBA) India. Nina Arnold, Lead Education Specialist, South Asia Global Lead for Territory Education, World Bank. Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian Universities India were the other distinguished speakers for the ceremony.