Udaipur – The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aimed at transforming India’s education system, has been widely lauded for its forward-looking approach. However, the ambitious goals of the policy present unique challenges for specialized fields like fisheries education, say two prominent Ichthyologists, Dr. L.L. Sharma and Dr. S.K. Sharma, former Deans of College of Fisheries (CoF), MPUAT.

The experts have expressed concern that while the NEP presents promising opportunities, several critical issues must be addressed before its benefits can be fully realized.

One of the most pressing challenges, according to the experts, is the inadequate infrastructure across many fisheries education institutions. "Fisheries education relies heavily on practical, hands-on learning, but many colleges lack modern laboratories, research vessels, and the latest equipment. Without these, the NEP’s emphasis on research-based learning cannot be implemented effectively," says Dr. L.L. Sharma.

The NEP stresses the importance of practical and research-oriented education, but the current lack of facilities hinders this goal. "We need urgent investment in upgrading fisheries education infrastructure if we are to meet the NEP's expectations and prepare students for the 21st-century job market," Dr. S.K. Sharma adds.

Another significant hurdle identified by the teachers is the acute shortage of qualified faculty in fisheries institutions. "Fisheries science is an interdisciplinary field, and the NEP rightly calls for education that integrates knowledge from various domains. However, many colleges do not have enough faculty who are well-versed in both traditional fisheries sciences and emerging areas like technology integration," they pointed out.

"Moreover, there is a lack of ongoing faculty training programs, which are crucial for keeping educators updated on the latest developments and technologies. This gap must be addressed through targeted training programs and recruitment drives," the professors emphasize.

While the NEP advocates for a multidisciplinary approach, the experts believe that integrating diverse fields like biology, environmental science, economics, and management into fisheries curricula will face institutional inertia. "Fisheries education needs knowledge from various fields, but integrating these disciplines requires curriculum restructuring, which many institutions are not prepared for," says Dr. Sharma.

The NEP’s call for cross-disciplinary programs is theoretically conducive, but practical implementation will require significant efforts in faculty re-skilling and the development of multi-domain resources.

The NEP also encourages collaborations between educational institutions and industries, but according to Dr. Sharma, establishing effective linkages with fisheries cooperatives, seafood processing units, and aquaculture farms remains a challenge. "While the policy is clear on promoting partnerships, the reality is that many institutions lack the policy support and initiative needed to build strong industry collaborations," says Dr. L.L. Sharma.

Such partnerships are crucial for providing students with real-world experience and research opportunities, but much needs to be done at the policy level to facilitate these linkages.

Opportunities Amidst the Challenges

Despite the challenges, the experts acknowledge that the NEP also offers several opportunities for fisheries education. One of the most positive aspects of the NEP is its emphasis on vocational training, which is particularly relevant for the fisheries sector. Aquaculture, fish processing, and marine product exports have immense potential for skill-based education, which could greatly improve the employability of fisheries graduates.

In addition, the NEP’s focus on technology integration opens up new possibilities for fisheries education. "Remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and artificial intelligence can be game-changers in areas like fishery resource management and marine ecosystem studies. The NEP’s push for digital literacy is a welcome development in this regard," Dr. L.L. Sharma notes.

The policy’s focus on fostering a research-driven education system could also propel Indian fisheries education to international standards. "Encouraging interdisciplinary research collaborations with international universities and research institutions will enable Indian students and researchers to access global best practices in fisheries science," says Dr. S.K. Sharma.

However, the experts caution that financial support for international collaborations and participation in global conferences needs to be expanded to truly globalize Indian fisheries education.

Another area where the NEP aligns well with the needs of the fisheries sector is its emphasis on entrepreneurship and skill-based learning. "Startups in aquaculture, fish farming, and fish processing have enormous potential in India. Fisheries education institutions can play a crucial role in fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, helping students not just become job-seekers but also job creators," the experts state.