Digital revolution has helped in rectifying long-standing problems in the Indian higher education system and making our students more future-ready with the right skill sets that are needed in the industry. Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network interacted with Dr Indu Rao, Director-ASC, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore to explore the future opportunities in the digital driven education. Edited excerpts:
The higher education curriculum is set to dive into multidisciplinary directions. Do you think, it will hamper the focus of students to focus on a particular profession like engineering?
No real-world problem can be solved using one discipline. Therefore, it is the need of the hour to prepare students who can solve real-world problems which are more dynamic than ever before. A multidisciplinary education curriculum will help prepare engineering students to get a holistic perspective for understanding the needs of society as well as industry, hence it is one of the most welcoming move.
Your institution is thriving to give the best engineers to the industry. What according to you could be the possible solution to bridge the knowledge gap between industry and academia?
Faculty development is the best solution as we are increasing our gross enrollment ratio at the national level.We need more qualified faculty for the increased number of students at our institutions. At our institution, we work towards faculty development and faculty empowerment such that they can excel in teaching, research, consultancy, student proctoring, and counseling. We conduct more than 100 programs every year for our faculty, which include their health and well-being, new digital technologies, and the latest industry perspectives, both during induction and throughout the academic year. The holistic development of faculty leads to the holistic development of students.
We have some major institutions that are setting the benchmark for developing the best engineers. What are your plans to equip your students with future-ready skill sets and qualities to excel immensely in the industry?
We provide a fully flexible choice-based credit system, industry certifications, state-of-the-art technology in classrooms and lab infrastructure, and highly qualified faculty for developing industry ready skills. There is an efficient proctoring system, international exchange programs, more than 100 student clubs and committees for all round development through extra-curricular activities, and an opportunity to develop social and leadership skills.
India is getting applause for its New Education Policy globally. Please elaborate on the Pros and cons of NEP 2020.
NEP deserves applause for putting across a vision for the future ready citizens of the country through an improved education system. The most desirable aspect of the NEP are the multidisciplinary, industry focus, value-based education with global relevance and yet grounded in Indian ethos. It calls for use of digital technologies and online learning which can help to provide quality education to the masses at reduced cost. It provides flexibility to students to choose between courses as well as institutions through exit-entry options. The challenge of course lies in implementation because our workforce as well as infrastructure across the country is not yet ready for it.
What suggestion would you give for implementing the NEP?
NEP requires a change in the recruitment policies of heads and key decision-makers of institutions. We cannot implement a new policy with leaders who are themselves not equipped with the skills required for futuristic education. Students coming into the education system today are very different. Industry and societal expectations of them are also different. We need leaders in the education system who themselves have a multidisciplinary background, international and industry exposure, academic teaching and research background, with a track record of impeccable integrity and value systems. Only then, we can bring in the right people, processes, and systems in institutions that will help implement NEP.
