Parliamentary panel finds Sonam Wangchuk’s HIAL model ‘exemplary’; recommends its UGC recognition

STC NEWS MONITORING DESK
NEW DELHI, DECEMBER 14 (STC): A Parliamentary panel headed by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh in its report tabled in Parliament earlier this week, has recommended that the Ministry of Education closely study Sonam Wangchuk’s Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) model and consider how it can be replicated elsewhere through Centres of Innovation in Education or other interventions.
The panel noted that HIAL is exemplary in its implementation of the NEP 2020, which calls for such experiential and project-based learning, community engagement, and integration of Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS).
“The committee recommends that the UGC should consider granting recognition to HIAL. Moreover, the committee encourages the UGC and the department to closely study the HIAL model and consider how it can be replicated elsewhere through Centres of Innovation in Education or other interventions,” the report said.
Notably, the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL), has been founded by Ladakh educator and activist Sonam Wangchuk.
Wangchuk was detained under the stringent NSA on September 26, two days after violent protests demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh left four people dead and 90 injured in the Union Territory. The government had accused him of inciting the violence.
Stating HIAL doing exemplary work, and the Parliamentary panel has recommended UGC recognition for it.
“During its study visit to Ladakh, the committee was impressed with the academic, research, and entrepreneurship ecosystem at the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL), especially its success in implementing experiential education and learning rooted in local socio-cultural and ecological contexts,” said the report of the Standing Committee on Education, Women, Youth and Sports.
“The committee was concerned to learn that the UGC has not yet granted recognition to HIAL and that the matter has been pending for many years now. The committee observed that HIAL has achieved a tremendous impact on the local community and received international fame through its ice stupas and other community engagement activities,” it added.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from Agencies)