New Delhi, Oct 21 (INB) Jamia Millia Islamia’s Department of Arabic has called for a shift towards communication-oriented, technology-enabled and skill-based language teaching in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the university said on Wednesday. The recommendations were made during an extension lecture on “Reimagining Arabic Teaching and Learning Pedagogy: Aligning with the NEP 2020 Framework”, delivered by Dr Ataur Rahman, Regional Director of IGNOU Regional Centre, Delhi-1, at the university’s Mir Anees Hall, the university said in an official statement. Rahman emphasised the need to move beyond grammar-centred instruction and conventional lectures towards interactive learning that prioritises practical language use, critical thinking and student participation, it stated. He also called for integrating digital tools and learning resources into Arabic classrooms, saying a practical, skill-oriented curriculum could expand career opportunities for students in journalism, translation, interpretation, medical tourism and other language-related fields. Prof Shikha Kapur, former Head of the Department of Adult and Continuing Education and Extension, who presided over the programme, highlighted challenges in implementing NEP 2020. She also raised concerns about access to higher education for students from madrasa backgrounds and stressed the need to explore measures to facilitate their university admissions. Prof Fauzan Ahmad, Head of the Department of Arabic, welcomed the participants, while Prof Nasim Akhtar coordinated the programme. Faculty members, students and research scholars attended the lecture, the university said.
