Pune: More than 1,600 first-year engineering students at COEP Technological University will now have access to a specialised online course on Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS). Developed by the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute (BORI), the programme aims to help students earn mandatory National Education Policy (NEP)-linked credits while providing exposure to India’s rich intellectual traditions.The initiative was formalised through a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between COEP Tech University and BORI. The year-long programme is being offered free of cost to students, with the total expenditure borne by the Pune-based Parimal and Pramod Chaudhari Foundation (PPCF).The course is designed to provide a structured digital platform where engineering students can explore Indian heritage, philosophy, architecture, and culture. By integrating these traditional knowledge systems into the technical curriculum, the university aims to fulfill the multidisciplinary learning objectives of the NEP 2020.Speaking at the launch event held at BORI’s Firodia Hall, Gauri Moghe, head of the Bharatvidya digital platform, noted that this is the first time an organization like the PPCF has funded IKS learning on such a massive scale. She expressed hope that other organisations would follow suit to support similar educational initiatives.BORI trustee Pradeep Rawat emphasized that the programme’s focus is on connecting India’s heritage meaningfully with the present, rather than simply celebrating the past.
