India has a rich history of education, dating back thousands of years. However, in recent years, the country’s higher education system has faced challenges in terms of global recognition and competitiveness. To put India’s higher education on the global map, it is important to focus on five key pillars: internationalization, research, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and corporate alignment.
In this article, we will explore each of these pillars in detail and discuss the ways in which they can help to elevate India’s higher education system to the global stage.
1. Internationalisation: India’s higher education system must become more international in order to attract students and faculty from around the world. This can be achieved through partnerships with international universities, exchange programs, and the establishment of international campuses. The concept of internationalization is not new and has been explored by many thinkers and theories, including Knight’s (1994) framework on the internationalization of higher education and De Wit’s (2011) work on the four dimensions of internationalization.
2. Research: High-quality research is crucial for the development of any higher education system. India must invest in research infrastructure, provide funding and incentives for research, and encourage collaboration between universities and industry. The country has already produced many influential thinkers and theories, including the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, and has the potential to produce many more with a focus on research.
3. Sustainability: Sustainability is a key issue facing the world today, and universities have an important role to play in addressing it. India’s higher education system must incorporate sustainability into its curriculum, research, and campus operations. The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a useful framework for universities to incorporate sustainability in their activities.
4. Entrepreneurship: India is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, and this should be reflected in its higher education system. Universities should foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, providing students with the skills and resources they need to start their own businesses. The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report provides useful insights into the state of entrepreneurship in India.
5. Corporate Alignment: Finally, India’s higher education system must be closely aligned with the needs of the industry. This can be achieved through partnerships with companies, internships, and work-integrated learning programs. The theories of alignment and collaboration in higher education, such as the Triple Helix Model (Etzkowitz & Leydesdorff, 2000) and the Engaged University Framework (Van der Meer & Wals, 2014), provide useful insights into how universities can work with industry to achieve common goals.
In conclusion, India’s higher education system has the potential to be a global leader, but it must focus on the five pillars of internationalization, research, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and corporate alignment to achieve this goal. By incorporating these pillars into its policies and practices, India can attract students and faculty from around the world, produce high-quality research, address sustainability challenges, foster entrepreneurship, and align its activities with the needs of industry. With a focus on these five pillars, India’s higher education system can be put on the global map.
Views expressed by Dr. Raul V. Rodriguez, Vice President, Woxsen University, Hyderabad
