Page 25 - EducationWorld January 2021

SPECIAL ESSAY

Is Interdisciplinary Learning an

Imminent Reality for India?

t is often at the cusp of different Policy (NEP) 2020 claims. As we stand on
perspectives that the greatest the verge of a breakthrough reform, the NEP
discoveries, innovations and solutions promises a bold change. One that espouses
Iare found. The brilliant Leonardo da interdisciplinarity in its very core. The breaking
Vinci was an epic exemplar of the capability down of disciplinary boundaries is a big
of the human mind to transcend boundaries leap from traditional learning frameworks.
in the pursuit of curiosity and creation. He is Systematically restructuring the way learning
known as famously for his artistic work as has taken place for decades, even centuries,
for his thoughts on engineering, technology, the NEP demands educators, policy makers,
anatomy, astronomy, architecture and so and students to step up and brace themselves
much more. The “Renaissance Man” married for change, even if it will come slowly.
art and science in a way that was perhaps Coming from a time when academic
unprecedented. Through the likes of da disciplines don’t speak to each other, Professor Arjya B. Majumdar
Vinci, history has time and again validated creating interdisciplinary curriculum, effective
the importance of interdisciplinarity. Yet there pedagogy, skilling teachers, among others, possibilities of the future.
has been growing concern that the education will be milestones to look forward to as India The push to consider the real world
system, particularly in developing countries revamps itself to tap into the potential of learning outcomes of interdisciplinarity has
like India, has systematically separated the interdisciplinarity. gained momentum globally over the past
connections between different perspectives – It will challenge young people to embark decades. It is firmly established at the world’s
compartmentalised disciplines. on academic pursuits with more freedom, best universities like Harvard, Oxford, Yale,
The idea of holistic learning is at its core imagination and abandon than ever before. Stanford, Princeton, and so on. Yet in India,
interred with interdisciplinarity. But as subjects Looking at life through a multidisciplinary lens only a niche set of schools and universities
evolved, delving deeper into the development will result in the ability to approach problems have adopted this approach. At O.P. Jindal
of their unique fields, somewhere along from a broader perspective. And that’s just Global University, we have consciously held
the way, methods of teaching and learning what’s needed today. interdisciplinarity at the core of learning.
became a little more rigid, less fluid. Perhaps If you think about the most burning issues This means that students enrolled in
in the quest for super specialisations, or of the contemporary world – climate change, each of the ten schools – law, business,
even to an extent, to make students more sustainability, inequality, poverty, justice, international relations, liberal arts,
employable in their chosen paths. human rights, international relations, conflict, architecture, journalism, public policy,
But what constitutes employability today? war and peace – their solutions cannot be banking, environment or psychology – take up
Can disciplinary knowledge alone cover the located simply within a singular field. The foundational interdisciplinary courses within
breadth of possibilities that this modern world “real world” which we, as educators, prepare their schools, and also study cross-listed
beholds? And perhaps, most importantly – our students to enter, is complex. And it’s electives across the board.
are students able to make the most of their in the interplay between disciplines that we Multidisciplinarity is important for a number
education? The answers to these questions, can find holistic answers. We must therefore of reasons. It not only exposes students to
just as the nature of learning and knowledge, equip students to live successfully amidst the new and diverse disciplines, thoughts or
are constantly evolving. The lines between dynamic realities of the world, by inspiring perspectives, but helps them discover what
disciplines blur in a world that’s grown more creativity, innovation and broader thinking. interests them, and how to contextualise
interconnected than ever before. Armed with interdisciplinary learning, students their specialised areas of study with other
Yet for far too long, the Indian education can find their place in this ever-evolving world. disciplines.
system has kept disciplines distanced from Contrary to traditional curricula that As students prepare to enter a world
each other. Beginning from early childhood to are designed to transform students into a that is increasingly multifaceted itself,
higher education, learning traditionally takes cohort of specialised professionals with interdisciplinarity can no longer be overlooked
place in silos. High school and undergraduate advanced knowledge in a particular domain, in the classroom. So its inclusion as a central
students are typically required to choose multidisciplinarity takes a different route to goal of the NEP is not only welcome in the
between streams and subjects. As teenagers, “employability”. Students gain an arsenal academic world, but overdue. It remains to
they carry the weight of decisions that could of skills that are easily transferable across be seen if the policy can revolutionise the
direct, change and even narrow their futures. different fields– problem-solving, critical education system. In the end, disciplinarity
It’s a tall task to ask of young people in their thinking, team work, time management, and interdisciplinarity must go hand-in-hand.
formative years. Years that could be better strong communication, analysis and research So that students may not only gain knowledge
spent exploring their options, discovering methodologies, and much more – which during their academic life but nurture a holistic
interests, learning as much as possible, equip them with the flexibility to choose outlook that sets the tone for lifelong learning.
absorbing a more holistic worldview that will their own path. In the rapidly changing and
enable them to grow into well-rounded, open- highly demanding modern context, traditional
minded, sensitive and intelligent young adults. degrees tend to leave graduates wanting, Professor Arjya B. Majumdar
All that is about to change. At least, that whereas multidisciplinary talent has the power Dean, Admissions & Outreach
is what the revolutionary National Education to overcome the challenges and conquer the O.P. Jindal Global University

EDUCATIONWORLD JANUARY 2021