NEW DELHI: The Goa Institute of Management (GIM) recently concluded a five-day Academic Leadership Programme (ALP) for principals of Delhi University colleges, bringing together academic leaders to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in higher education.Held from June 29 to July 3, the programme saw participation from principals representing more than 40 Delhi University colleges, including Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Hindu College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Hans Raj College, Ramjas College, Shaheed Sukhdev College of Business Studies, Sri Venkateswara College and Lady Irwin College. The discussions focused on strengthening institutional leadership and preparing higher education institutions for evolving academic and administrative demands.Focus on leadership and institutional preparednessThe programme was designed to facilitate discussions on institutional planning, governance and strategies to build future-ready higher education institutions. Sessions were conducted by experts from GIM, the University of Delhi and the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA).Key themes covered during the programme included the use of artificial intelligence in education, implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, digital transformation, institutional governance, change management, inclusive leadership, financial management, ethics and learner-centred education.

Over 40 Delhi University principals attend GIM programme on the future of higher education

Addressing the participants, GIM Director Prof Ajit Parulekar said institutions need to continuously evolve to meet the changing learning needs of students while maintaining academic quality. He also emphasised that higher education should focus on developing responsible citizens alongside professional skills.Principals discuss common challengesOne of the key features of the programme was a series of discussions among participating principals on issues affecting higher education institutions. These included declining student admissions and classroom attendance, the growing role of artificial intelligence in teaching and administration, improving graduate employability, and securing funding for institutional infrastructure.The participants also exchanged experiences and practical approaches to addressing these challenges, with the programme serving as a platform for sharing institutional best practices.Platform for collaborative learningAccording to GIM, the Academic Leadership Programme aimed to support capacity building among higher education leaders and encourage collaborative learning on issues aligned with national education priorities.The initiative comes at a time when higher education institutions across the country are adapting to changing policy frameworks, technological advancements and evolving expectations around quality, innovation and global competitiveness.