Explore the next in education – An opportunity to elevate the education to global standards

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April 25, 2023

Education needs a new definition, a definition never explored before – it’s time to ‘Explore the Next in Education’. It’s time to circumvent the formidable challenges and reach the zenith in all ways possible to meet the evolving needs of learners in today’s fiercely competitive world.

What is Next in Education? With all the rigorous transformation, it is hard to stick to one. The education ecosystem is large and longing to transform at the fastest speed and the digital wave is making it even faster.

Education beyond classrooms, digital devices, edtechs, rise of subscription-based learning, AI-based learning and more are going to rule the next generation of education. It will be no longer necessary to visit an offline campus to be Data Scientist or to be an Architect, learning will be on the move in the forthcoming times. Recently, a UK graduate wrote an essay using the contentious AI chatbot and surprisingly received passing grades, according to ‘The Independent’. Another graduate from the University of Bristol decided to see if ever-hyped AI tools might be utilised to complete theory assignments and coursework. He used the bot to write a 2,000-word article about social policy. The bot completed an assignment that students were supposed to complete in 12 weeks in 20 minutes. The internet is buzzing with many such stories nowadays. It would not be hyperbolic to say that humans are hijacked by machines and the world will see more of it in the years to come.

Everyone has one’s own opinion on technology implementation. The education fraternity across the globe is continuously aligning itself with the the evolving technologies and believes ‘technology can never replace humans, though humans who don’t know how to use technology will be replaced’. Consider the automatic teller machine as a primary example. Developed in the 1960s and popularised in the 70s and 80s, it was expected that it will likely replace some human tellers, but it’s 2023 and most banks and organisations still have tellers. World is looking at technology as a promise, not as a peril. Alvin Toffler, an American writer once said, “The illiterate of 21st-century won’t be those who cannot read or write but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn”. It’s mandatory to match yourself with evolving technology to stay relevant in the 21st century.

It is the century of most novel innovations like Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Big Data, Metaverse, Cloud, Internet of Things, and more. The stage is open now for innovations and that can’t happen in isolation, it’s time to expand our horizon and go global. It’s time for international collaboration for mutual recognition of countries. Most recently, Australian Education Minister Jason Clare signed an MoU with the Education Minister of India on a Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications. Australia will start recognising higher education degrees obtained in India under this mutual framework.

The forthcoming in the education sector are endless as the sector is growing at an unprecedented rate. Global Education and Training Expenditure is set to reportedly reach at least $10T by 2030 as technology drives unprecedented re-skilling and up-skilling in developed economies. The next of education is bigger and brighter.

Exploring the Next in Education: Technology Outlook

Technology has played an increasingly important role in education, from online classes to interactive learning platforms. With the advancement of technology, new opportunities are opening up to revolutionise the way we teach and learn.

Latest Trends

Artificial Intelligence (AI): Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the most promising technologies in education. AI can help personalise learning by analyzing data on individual student performance, preferences, and learning styles. It can also help teachers and administrators identify patterns and trends in student data that can inform decisions about curriculum and instruction. AI-powered chatbots can also help students with questions and support them in real-time. Additionally, AI can help automate grading and assessment, freeing up teachers to focus on more personalized instruction and feedback.
Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR): Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR) is another technology that has the potential to revolutionise education. With VR/ AR, students can experience immersive simulations that help them understand complex concepts and scenarios. For example, medical students can use VR/AR to practice surgeries in a realistic virtual environment, without the risk of harming real patients. Similarly, students studying history can use VR/AR to experience historical events and places, bringing history to life in a way that is not possible with traditional teaching methods.
Subscription-Based Learning: Today, we have many platform that works on subscription like Upgrad, Unacademy, Coursera and more. You just have to select the right package & learn. All that is possible because we have technologies that can conduct live study sessions, remote proctoring and more which makes these platforms– a great success!
Metaverse: Metaverse has the potential to transform education by providing a more engaging, flexible, and immersive learning environment. One of the main benefits of the metaverse is its ability to provide immersive and interactive learning experiences. Students can explore virtual environments, engage in simulations and experiments, and collaborate with other learners from anywhere in the world.

Moreover, the metaverse offers a level of flexibility and accessibility that traditional education cannot provide. For example, learners can access courses and resources at any time and from any location, making it possible for them to learn at their own pace. Additionally, the metaverse is making education more engaging and enjoyable.

Gamification: Gamification involves using game-like elements, such as rewards, badges, and leaderboards, to motivate and engage students in earning. This technology can help students stay engaged and motivated while they learn, making education more fun and exciting.
Gamification can also help teachers and administrators track student progress and identify areas where students may be struggling. It is particularly effective for teaching STEM subjects, where concepts can be abstract and difficult to grasp.
Learning Management Systems (LMS): Learning Management Systems (LMS) are software applications that help teachers and administrators manage and deliver educational content. LMS can be used to create and deliver online courses, manage student progress and assessment, and track student performance. LMS can also help facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents, making it easier to provide feedback and support. They can be used to provide access to a range of resources such as videos, online libraries, and interactive learning tools.
Blockchain: Blockchain technology has the potential to transform the way we store and verify educational credentials. With blockchain, educational records can be stored in a secure and decentralized system that is accessible to students, employers, and educational institutions. This technology can help students maintain ownership of their credentials, making it easier for them to share their educational achievements with potential employers or educational institutions. It can also help prevent fraud and ensure the integrity of educational credentials.

This is not all! There is a vast scope to leverage tech-drievn innovations in the education sector. From personalised learning to immersive simulations, new-age technologies have the potential to create more engaging and effective learning experiences for students around the world. It will be exciting to see how they will continue to shape the future of education.

International Collaborations: A much needed next in education

Entire world is One – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’- in short one world and one family. International collaborations are not just beneficial for one nation but a lot and the entire poplucae of the countries involved. Recently, The University of Virginia has inaugurated a new partnership with Jindal Global University (JGU) – to provide a significant new platform for student and scholar exchange, joint research on topics of global importance such as democracy and environmental sustainability, and a general expansion of UVA’s engagement in India. Also, Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced that they have finalised Australia-India Education Qualification Recognition Mechanism which means that if you are an Indian student who is studying or have studied in Australia, your hard-earned degree will be recognised when you return home. Or if you are a member of Australia’s very large Indian community — 500,000 and growing — you will feel more confident that your Indian qualification will be recognised in Australia. Now, the time has come when you no longer want to go abroad to study, world will be one and the opportunities will be open for all at their own home spaces.

Earlier, India also announced that we are open for foreign varisties to open campuses in India.

As a result, Australia’s Deakin University will be the first foreign tertiary education institution in the world to establish a campus in India as the Albanese government ramps up prospects in the rapidly developing sector.

Harshita Sharma, Founder & Director, Brainstorm International shared, “Education should be seen in the broader context of community, economy and development with global collaborations. Pedagogic research is an ongoing process to upskill and uplift educators globally to improve teaching learning experiences with collaboration in education. We can keep up with the rapidly evolving ecosystem and focus on keeping education relevant ,responsible and responsive by raising global leaders who thrive on innovation and creativity. With the adaptation and testing of new techniques that can supplement their areas of expertise, global collaboration helps teachers improve their practises and leaders to enhance their professional skills.”

Dr. Ankur Jain, Director, Vanasthali Public School shared, “International student collaboration at an early age helps to promote and revitalise local communities. It is a turning point for the student as it increases interaction between two universities and leads to the improvement in the quality of children.

Children get exposure and opportunities to group problems from multiple perspectives. It also promotes Science and technology development and helps to create global leaders the primary stage of collaboration provides evidence through advocacy and communication on enhancement.”

India – Dubai collaboration: A wave of education partnership

India’s extended neighborhood with the UAE has gained strategic importance due to its geostrategic location, availability of adequate energy resources, home to a significant number of Indians, as well as an important source of remittances to India, and growing prospects for social sectors such as education and health, shared Dr. Vishal Arora, Associate Director, International Admissions, JAIN (Deemed-to-beUniversity).

The UAE’s education market is currently expanding globally, characterised by rising student enrollments, a growing interest in education sector privatisation, and support for government efforts. The global education market size in UAE is estimated to increase by $718 million. The market’s growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 5.03 per cent. Also, UAE Private K12 Education Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5 per cent by 2027.

With the vision to explore future-ready innovations and strengthen collaborative environment, Elets Technomedia is bringing top education leaders and experts from Asia and the Middle East for exchnage of ideas, and best practices at the 25th Elets World Education Summit (WES) on 20-21 March in Dubai.

A lot of our speakers have commented on international collaborations and how WES is helping in doing so. Here is a quick glance:

Nirmal Singh Founder & CEO, Wheebox

“I believe that conferences like such bring together the brightest minds in the field of education to unlock fresh strategies and foster new approaches to building a future-ready education ecosystem. This can lead to the development of policies and initiatives that can benefit students, teachers, and educational institutions globally. Our mission for 2024 is to study the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Future of Education, Work and Mobility. The summit will give us the opportunity to explore innovative technologies, methodologies, and best practices that can help in transformation.” “I strongly believe that the World Education Summit 2023 can serve as a catalyst for change and inspire stakeholders to work towards creating a better future for education.”

Dr Madhuri Sawant Founder & MD, Barinqaurtz

“I commend the work that the organisers of the World Education Summit 2023 are doing. Conferences such as this facilitate these exchanges of ideas & best practices through both presentations (one-to-many) and networking (one-on-one).”

Today we are at the intersection of multiple global megatrends: ubiquitous connectivity, high-value use cases such as digital payments, remote work/remote education, misinformation, and climate change. The exchange of ideas and best practices, ideally in an in-person setting, helps educators, technologists, businesspeople, and policymakers from around the world drive higher standards in their respective spheres and as a result for the whole world. Globally, there is no uniformity in education systems, every country follows its own style of school education system. Such platforms and conferences could bring uniformity and best practices and ideas which could be adapted globally to standardise school education system.”

Gunjan Pandita Khashu CEO, Accuracy

“Such conferences can help bring together stakeholders from different backgrounds and regions to share knowledge, collaborate on solutions, and promote policies and practices that can improve education outcomes at a global level. Through this event, we look forward to having a unified platform to convey our message to our target audience.”

Harshita Sharma Founder & Director Brainstorm International

“Global summits like the World Education Summit give the experience of a lifetime and bring together innovation, best pedagogies, and new edge technology under one roof for transforming the education eco-system.

It opens doors to the idea of unlearning to re-learn and make a difference in the life of students globally. Decoding International education, connecting with all stakeholders and brainstorming on transforming teaching-learning processes to be well prepared to deal with the challenges of the 21st century to evolve and revamp in perfect tandem with changing times to innovate design thinking solutions. This will definitely bring new innovations and development to the landscape of education in India.”

Dr. Sheela Menon Principal, Ambassador School, Dubai

“Meeting people from the same industry but from different places of the world always is a route towards positive changes and growth. Knowing some of the best minds and learning and sharing from each other helps to find solutions to some of the raging concerns which are global phenomenon.

UAE’S education – The academic mobility making it a global education leader

Features

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Sheeba Chauhan, Senior Sub Editor

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April 24, 2023

The United Arab Emirates is largely blooming as a global education hub and it’s quite evident in the numbers. The global education market size in UAE is estimated to increase by USD 718 million. The market’s growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 5.03 per cent. The adoption of key trends in the education sector right from digitisation of classroom learning to technology-based approach to training in soft skills – UAE is traveling the extra mile to get it all right.

In recent years, the focus has shifted towards pre-schooling or early childhood education which was not a set practice in traditional UAE education. By emphasising the importance of education, the UAE government is reforming all the traditional practices. Almost 93 per cent of the UAE’s population has access to the internet which is making the UAE’s education market robust in the digital education landscape. The pandemic in 2020 also pushed online education to a great extent across the country. The UAE e-learning market is expected to expand to US $7.1 billion in 2023 from less than US $2 million in 2017, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy. The online e-learning segment, along with the virtual classroom segment, holds nearly 70 per cent of the market share in the region. The government is aiming for creating an ecosystem that is inclusive for all and digitisation, online learning, or e-learning can make this happen.

The UAE government is making it bigger and better with various moves to become the global hub for education. India and UAE are all set to sign an MOU in the field of education to facilitate academic collaboration between higher education institutions in both countries to offer twinning, joint degree, and dual degree programmes. The new bilateral pact will promote mutual recognition, enhanced academic participation, and collaboration between countries. Such collaborations will make it speed up their objective to become a global educational hub.

Making it a global education hub

The aim to become a global hub requires rigorous work in the education sector. The Ministry of Education announced a strategy for the span of 2010-2020 with overall objectives to chalk out the major faults in the UAE’s education system. The strategy was aimed at reducing the major dropouts from higher education, ensuring high-quality curriculum, excellent teaching methods, high-quality education accessible to all, a learning environment and tools, and to enhance and uplift the quality, equality, and accessibility to quality education.

Many universities are aiming to set up campuses in the most modern city of UAE – Dubai, and that is not just because of its ultramodernity or its glitz, or its stunning skyline, Dubai has genuinely emerged as a top destination of the world in the recent years. According to a report by CNBC, during 2021-22, 1.64 akh Indian students headed to UAE for higher education. While the number might not be as high as for the USA (4.65 lahks), it is close to Canada’s (1.83 lakhs) and more than Australia’s (1.09 lakh).

Besides being a financial hub, UAE’s leaders are striving for making it a educational hub globally, and a similar vision came out through a two-day conclave named, ‘Schools for the Future’, which was organised by Kyra Global, a company founded in Dubai by veteran Indian publisher KPR Nair, in partnership with The American University in the Emirates (AUE), one of Dubai’s premier universities. During the conclave, Tadu Mamu, Consul (Press Information, Culture and Labour) of the Indian Embassy, said India will be happy to be a partner with the UAE in its efforts to make the Emirates a global educational hub. Last year, an MoU was also signed on the academic front for an enhancement collaboration on global education. There were also talks on establishing India’s premium higher education institute IIT (Indian Institute of Technology) in Dubai.

The latest reforms to empower the future generation

UAE is striving to become a knowledge economy, despite having a humongous economy through its oil resources. The reforms in education will make the students think, question, and make the technological leap that is much required when everything is driven by technology. Sara Al Amiri, who guided the UAE’s space and Mars missions, was made Minister of State for Public Education and Future Technology to assist the sector on the technological edge. The responsibilities of the Ministry of Education will include developing policies, strategies, and legislation, as per the new structure.

The reformed national curriculum will include the Arabic language, Islamic education, moral education, and social studies while the international curriculum will include mathematics, science, and others.

The government is eager to make the education system bigger and better. Early childhood development is the key focus of the government, and they have also announced free early education for Emirati students. The government is also emphasising quality education with zero tuition fees for enhancing accessibility and equality for all. With these reforms, a new template for education is being laid for UAE and from now, it will keep moving towards a growing pace.

The buzz in UAE’s education

The latest trends are driving each and every industry, and technology is the only catalyst. With the emergence of technology, the education ecosystem has taken a newer shape across the world. UAE is leading the way towards the adoption in a much faster way and is all set to revamp the trends as per the adoption of technology.

Trends in higher education- As education is at the cusp of massive transformation, the higher education segment is poised to get the most attention. A few of the trends that get much traction during the transactional phase are:

Skill-based and experienced learning for all
Synchronous and blended learning
Personalisation and digitisation of learning
Integration of the curriculum with occupational certificates

Digitisation – The UAE’s rapid advancement of modern technologies and educational trends has increased the value of education. The way that general education is taught and how learning courses are provided, both have been substantially changed by e-learning. The digitisation of education transformed the walls of the classroom, and teaching is now more learner-centric with various technology tools.

School education – Parents are choosing to focus more on soft skills and voted for a grand focus on STEM subjects in classrooms and curriculum. Another trend that erupted in recent times in school education is an enhanced emphasis on mental health concerns. According to a report by Fortune, three out of five (60 per cent) students suffer from mental health issues across the world. The issues vary from depression to anxiety and it is disheartening that only 48 per cent of them got diagnosed properly and got treatment. So, schools and higher institutions need to focus majorly on mental health issues.

Hybrid learning, learner-centric approach to teaching, computerised-based learning, and technology-based approaches are the newest trends transforming the school education system throughout.

The major market holding in education

The UAE’s education market is currently expanding globally. This suggests that the market under consideration is characterised by rising student enrollments, a growing interest in education sector privatisation, and support for government efforts. The global education market size in UAE is estimated to increase by $718 million. The market’s growth momentum will progress at a CAGR of 5.03 per cent. Also, UAE Private K12 Education Market is poised to grow at a CAGR of 5 per cent by 2027.

Over 2,84,000 students enrolled in private secondary schools last year. In order to increase the enrollment of new students, many private institutions give discounts to encourage students. The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai also restricted the rise of tuition fees, during the academic year 2022-23. Such encouragement from the government is enhancing the growth and pace of the education industry in the UAE.

As per PWC: education sector in the Middle East report, the quality of the UAE’s primary and higher education systems ranks among the top 20 globally. UAE has some of the best educational institutions both in the higher and school education segments. It is reported that the annual revenue being generated by schools in Dubai is AED 8.45 billion and Dubai hosts over 60 globally respected international university campuses – the largest number anywhere in the world.

AI to make nutrition assessment of tribal students in Maharashtra School

Schools News

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 24, 2023

AI is gradually replacing human intervention in all fields but what if we told you that artificial intelligence (AI) is now able to guarantee the quality of food and the amount of nutrition?

Todsa Ashram School in Etapalli, Maharashtra, recently installed an AI-based system to raise the nutritional status of Gadchiroli tribal children.

In terms of how this technology functions, it takes a photo of the student holding their plate of food and determines in a matter of seconds, without the aid of a person, whether the meal is of good quality.

This technology will prove useful, especially when it comes to government schools’ midday meals, which are sometimes overlooked due to their subpar quality.

The administration reportedly took the initiative as part of Project Bhamragad, and eight government schools are a part of it.

”There are eight government schools included in Project Bhamragad. I used to think the girls at this all-girls Ashram School were malnourished when I visited. A preliminary BMI analysis revealed that 61 of the 222 girls were underweight. Three meals are served here daily: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The food is served in a sufficient quantity, and we adhere to the menu as well. Shubham Gupta, Assistant Collector of Etapalli and Project Director of Integrated Tribal Development Project, explained about the device”, So, we wanted to determine the cause.

He continued by saying that the administration had made contact with an NGO that collaborated with a start-up.

“We brought this machine created by them. This device is powered by artificial intelligence. We have attempted to improve both the amount and quality of meals through the use of this gadget. Headmaster and I have access to the information gathered here. So far, one of the eight Ashram Schools has had it installed. The outcomes are quite encouraging. In September 2022, we put it in place. Since then, both the quality of the food and the BMI of youngsters have improved,” he added.

According to UNICEF India research, 40% of Indian tribal children under the age of five are malnourished, and 16% of them are severely stunted.

Due to a lack of food and resources, tribal children experience greater rates of undernutrition than children from socially and economically affluent backgrounds.

Innovation – A driving force for sustainable economic growth: Prof. Rao Bhamidimarri, President, Institute of Advanced Research

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 22, 2023

Prof. Rao Bhamidimarri, President, Institute of Advanced Research (IAR), Gujarat, India shared, “Recently, there has been a lot of talk about innovation, but it is important to clarify what exactly we mean by this term. When we talk about “industry,” it is not a single entity, but rather many different industries that make up the economy, such as the sheet metal industry, the machine shop industry, and the rocket and space station industry. Innovation is the driving force for sustained economic growth, as evidenced by Japan, which became an industry powerhouse through innovation after being completely destroyed in the war. Innovation requires ongoing thinking, creativity, exploration, and out-of-the-box thinking.”

“Innovation mainly takes place in industries, such as Nestle, Fisa, and Novartis, but universities can play a role in accelerating the process by creating the human capital necessary to undertake innovative processes. However, universities and educational institutions have been poor at catalyzing innovation in the service sector. The big four consulting firms, such as Deloitte and PwC, are leading the way in innovation in the service sector”, he added.

“Innovation comes in different forms and is driven by different factors, such as need-driven innovation and crisis-driven innovation, such as the rapid development of vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Different types of innovation are required for different problems, such as semiconductors and advanced computer chips, fusion energy, and artificial intelligence for diagnosing dementia. The role of universities and higher education institutes is not just to prepare students for jobs, but to create human capital that can undertake innovative processes in industry and business. The educational objective is not to prepare students immediately to fit into a job, but to bridge the gap between theory and practical application, so that students can apply their knowledge in innovative ways to solve real-world problems”, he concluded.

Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah intends to invest $10 Mn in Vidyapeeth – its offline vertical

Corporate Updates

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digitalLEARNING Network

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April 22, 2023

Physics Wallah acquires UAE-Based startup knowledge planet

According to reports, Edtech unicorn PhysicsWallah intends to invest $10 Mn (INR 82 Cr) over several instalments in its offline tutoring division Vidyapeeth School.

According to Imran Rashid, vice president of PhysicsWallah (PW), the edtech company would invest $5 Mn in the first phase to put up the infrastructure for its school-integrated course. The remaining $5 million will then be used for content creation, pedagogy development, and academic school improvement.

The company plans to invest 8–10 lakh rupees to set up the necessary infrastructure in each of these schools. By 2025–2026, PW hopes to reach 300 schools in Tier III and Tier IV cities and towns with its Vidyapeeth plan thanks to this capital infusion.

In order to capitalise on the growing physical tutoring centre concept and PW’s renewed focus on its offline vertical, the company made this decision. According to the Vidyapeeth concept, PW collaborates with current schools and offers regular classroom instruction along with tutoring for the CBSE exams and other competitive exams like the NEET and JEE.

By using technology to provide the edtech concept to the students, PW was founded in 2020 by Alakh Pandey and Prateek Maheshwari. PW primarily serves students studying for engineering and medical entrance exams.

With the introduction of Vidyapeeth Schools last year, the firm entered the offline market. Since then, it has expanded its offering to 39 schools across 34 districts in 10 states, including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Assam.

The business is reportedly in talks to raise at least $250 Mn at a valuation of $3.3 Bn, up roughly 3X from its previously reported valuation of $1.1 Bn from last year, after raising a massive $100 Mn in funding last year.

The edtech platform has been plagued by a number of worries recently, including the loss of star teachers and a damaged reputation as a result of a public altercation involving an edtech company and certain teachers. The fierce competition PW faces from established players like BYJU’S and Unacademy in both the internet and physical spaces has complicated issues.

World Earth Day: Doodling greener facts to ‘Invest in our Planet’

Article

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Sheeba Chauhan, Senior Sub Editor

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April 22, 2023

“Invest in our Planet” – This year’s theme of World Earth Day is apt according to our
mother Earth’s conditions, it’s high time that we invest in our planet and make it a better
home for our future generation— Remember, there is no planet B. Today, as much as we
are planning to become a sustainable ecosystem, we are somehow lagging far behind.
This year’s theme tries to focus on measures that are eco-friendly, with a sharp emphasis
on reducing carbon footprints and promoting green initiatives and at the same time,
conserving the energy that we have by using it in a sustainable way.

The promotion of sustainable development and the raising of awareness about ecological
issues are crucial goals that can be effectively achieved through environmental education.
With the advent of digital technology, access to information has been revolutionized, and
digital libraries have emerged as a key resource in supporting this education. By
providing convenient access to a vast repository of resources, including scientific
publications, research papers, and multimedia content, these libraries encourage
engagement and critical thinking, making them an invaluable tool for promoting
environmental education.

Digital Libraries are a significant effort towards making this planet a sustainable one. In
digital libraries, we have a diverse range of books and information that too with
minimum damage to the environment, more specifically trees which are the primary
source of making a piece of paper. According to a report by UNESCO, Digital libraries
have been credited with enhancing education for sustainable development (ESD).

Though the revolutionising technologies are creating a lot of innovations in education
sector, at the same time there are reports which show the dark side of using the
technology. Interestingly, the buzzing word ChatGPT – the latest application of AI and
NLP is not only turning pages for a lot of job opportunity, it is adding a different chapter
to the resources we have for our future generation. The University of California Riverside
and the University of Texas Arlington have released a paper titled “Making AI Less
Thirsty”; that examines the environmental impact of AI training. The study highlights the
substantial amount of electricity and water required to cool data centers. The researchers
specifically focused on companies like OpenAI and Google, and their data processing
centers. The findings reveal that Microsoft, which is partnered with OpenAI, consumed a
staggering 185,000 gallons of water during the training of GPT-3 alone.

In today’s world where sustainability is a major goal, it is crucial to invest wisely in
every step. We have One Earth and We are going to have only one in future as well. We
need to think and use practices which conserve energy, and reduce carbon footprints just
like the use of digital libraries and have to stop using resources which are hazardous and
causing an alarming situation for mother earth. Let’s pledge to act wisely and conserve
our Planet Earth on this ‘ World Earth Day’.

BYJU’S to raise $400-600 Mn from 10X AD and Apollo Global Management

Corporate Updates

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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April 21, 2023

According to reports, the edtech decacorn BYJU’S is in discussions to raise between $400 million and $600 million with the US-based Apollo Global Management and the Abu Dhabi-based fund 10X AD.

If the deal is approved, 10X AD could invest $150–200 Mn in either the parent business Think and Learn Private Ltd. of BYJU or a subsidiary called Aakash Education Services. The edtech leader, on the other hand, has also contacted Apollo Global to request a $200–250 Mn structured finance for Aakash.

Sources claim that 10X AD is considering both alternatives, including leading an investor consortium and going it alone. In addition, the Abu Dhabi-based fund has requested guaranteed internal rates of return (IRRs), select options, and preference rights as “downside protection” in the deal.

The late-stage tech-focused fund is known to bring in other investors and organisations, like ADQ, to shore up the pool size, though it typically invests between $30 and $50 million on its own. A few more local small investment groups may potentially participate in the deal.

According to the reports, Disrupt AD, the venture capital arm of ADQ, is considering increasing its initial interest in the leading provider of edtech and may participate in the fundraising.

For its subsidiary Aakash, BYJU’S has additionally asked Apollo Global for funding. A preferred instrument with a fixed, previously agreed-upon IRR and downside protection may be used to make this $200–250 million investment, or it could occur at a discount to the following round.

It’s interesting to note that the PE company rejected BYJU’s earlier attempt to obtain funding from Apollo Global.

The turbulence in indian edtech industry- lessons from layoffs

Features

By

Sheeba Chauhan, Senior Sub Editor

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April 21, 2023

Over the past few years, there has been a growing interest in edtech, with many claiming that it could revolutionise the way we learn and teach. From digital textbooks to online learning platforms and interactive whiteboards, edtech has promised to make education more accessible, engaging, and effective. However, despite the hype and investments pouring into the sector, edtech has yet to deliver on its promises. In fact, there are signs that edtech might be heading for a downfall, with upcoming challenges that could make it even more difficult for it to succeed.

According to global data, Indian edtech market size was valued at $3.42 billion in 2021 and is expected to achieve a CAGR of more than 30 per cent during 2021-2026. The increased internet penetration into the youth has pushed varied industries to go digital and education is one of the major sectors that followed digitisation to a great extent. With the advent of education going digital, edtech market has shown only an inclined graph. The current scenario however seems gloomy, while the Indian edtech market was the third largest in 2021. However, after the global boom of edtech during, and post-pandemic, the situation seems to turn out. Money Control research and other media reports said that 3,700 edtech employees were laid off alone till June 2022. As per a report by Inc42, initially, 60 employees from the tech and product teams were laid off. This round of layoffs witnessed at LEAD comes as an annual exercise. The list is endless from the unicorn edtechs like BYJU’S, Unacademy, UpGrad, Eruditus, and LEAD who laid off several employees despite having several rounds of funding.

An impetus on sudden ‘pitfall’

One of the main reasons for the downfall of edtech is the faith of the parents to trust a complete digital resource for their wards’ future. However, the same was mitigated to a larger extent during covid when schools were closed and entire schools shifted to screens. The process worked well in the unprecedented times and the faith of parents was gained. But once the situation got settled with the new normal, a lot of parents shifted back to brick and mortar. Also, despite the promises of personalised learning and improved outcomes, there is little research to support these claims, especially for early childhood education.

Furthermore, many edtech products are not rigorously tested or evaluated, and then often show mixed or inconclusive results. In some cases, the use of edtech can even be detrimental to learning, as it can distract students or lead to a shallow understanding of concepts.

Another factor contributing to the downfall of edtech is the digital divide. While edtech has the potential to democratise access to education, it also exacerbates existing inequalities. Not all students have access to the internet, computers, or other devices needed to use edtech products, and even those who do may not have the skills or support needed to use them effectively. This means that edtech can end up widening the achievement gap between privileged and disadvantaged students, rather than narrowing it.

While an upcoming setback can be seen as tweaking the inclined graph of edtechs is the AI tools like ChatGPT. Earlier chatbots were considered useful for edtech as they were generating customised question papers, evaluated students’ performance, and even helped teachers in assessing students. But with the emergence of AI tools like ChatGPT, the need for digital trainers or educators is somehow going to dissolve. The definition of ‘Guru’ seems to evolve with the emergence of such high-end tools.

Industry Speaks

Baseema Anayat, principal, Shah Rasool Memorial Welkin Higher Secondary School, Jammu and Kashmir shared, “If we look at our education system pre and post-COVID, one finds a drastic change. Edtech, Ahhh Change is something that one can not avoid. Like every industry, education too is going through a digital transformation.”

“Now its impact on the school system as I said earlier that any technology that is introduced, will only facilitate us. Besides, traditional education, edtech is here to stay along. We can use technology to provide students with a personalised learning process according to their ability”, she added.

Rashmi Singh, Principal, Poddar Brio International School, Badlapur, Maharashtra shared, “E-learning platforms are transforming the education sector in the country by bridging the gap between supply and demand. With affordable internet charges, even the rural sectors can use such platforms for personal and professional development. Language learning, online tutoring and technology skills development are the dominant themes in the education landscape of the country. The fast-paced emergence of Edtech has transcended beyond classroom boundaries within no time. The education system is evolving and attaining a more holistic approach. With industries directly connecting with e-learning institutions. the content has never been so up-to-date. Together, all this makes e-learning platforms complete, and students and working professionals future-ready, in a matter of months.”

The e-Learning penetration is observed in various large and medium-sized organizations for a cost-effective mode of skill development and training sessions. In the current scenario of technological disruption, professionals have to re-skill themselves every 4 to 5 years for being relevant to their existing job roles. As already hinted, the Government of India is taking a lot of initiatives to boost and accentuate the e-learning sector. Thus it is adapting to the technological revolution. “E-learning platforms are bringing a measurable difference in students’ engagement and performance. It is reducing gaps in the delivery of education and giving a new dimension to the education space.”

According to renowned educator Welton Fitzwater, “The future of the world is in my classroom today.” The statement is true to its core with the emergence of the new-age classroom in the era of digital transformation. Edtech is one of the major sectors that have been affected by digitisation. The multi-channel approach to the education sector has enabled students to gain knowledge via various mediums besides classrooms, like smartphones, desktops, laptops, tablets etc, she added.

I strongly feel all such online platforms and learning sites contribute to the fast-growing Edtech sector of the nation. Besides the online platforms, schools and colleges also take part in the educational revolution and it will better the school education ecosystem, she concluded.

Shakeup despite the funding boom

The Indian edtech market valued at $750 million in 2020 and is predicted to reach $4 billion by 2025, is suddenly facing some turbulence. In 2022, Edtech has seen the most layoffs, followed by consumer services and e-commerce. Four of the seven edtech unicorns laid off 8,000+ employees, and the sector has also seen five startups shut down in 2022. In April 2022, Unacademy laid off 600 employees, followed by Vedantu which laid off 200 employees, and then 800 WhiteHat Jr employees resigned from the Byju’s-owned edtech start-up within a span of 2 months after being asked to work from office. The ride has been topsy-turvy both for the employer, employees and leaders of edtech segment right from the beginning of 2022.

However, there were some surprising moments for the edtech companies as well. Funding in the edtech segment has shown a positive trend in Q3 CY22 compared to the previous quarter (in value terms), as per the PwC India report titled, “Startup Deals Tracker – Q3 CY22.” In Q3 CY22, 81 per cent of funding activity was contributed by upGrad, which raised $225 million, followed by Sunstone, which raised $35 million. According to Inc42 data, Indian startups raised $25 Bn in 2022 which was down 40% compared with the watershed moment that was 2021.

Edtech wave in the education sector was massive and impressive but the shift has revealed deep-seated inequalities in access to technology and internet connectivity. The upcoming challenges for edtech are numerous and complex. One of the main challenges is the need to balance the benefits of technology with the need for human interaction and personalised instruction. As, many limitations of edtech are witnessed in terms of providing social interaction, hands-on learning, and emotional support, which are crucial for many students. While edtech can provide access to vast amounts of information and resources, it cannot replace the guidance and feedback of skilled teachers. Furthermore, edtech products often rely on standardised assessments and algorithms to personalise learning, which can overlook the unique needs, interests, and strengths of individual learners.

Another challenge is the need to address the digital divide and ensure that all students have access to technology and support. This requires not only investment in infrastructure and devices but also training for teachers and families on how to use them effectively. It also requires attention to the social and emotional needs of students, as well as the cultural and linguistic diversity of classrooms.

While the third challenge is the need to promote critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, which are essential skills for success in the 21st century. Edtech can provide opportunities for exploration and experimentation, it shouldn’t promote passive consumption and rote memorisation. Edtech somehow also isolates students from each other and from real-world contexts, which are crucial for developing empathy, cultural competence, and problem-solving skills.

To overcome these challenges and avoid the downfall of edtech, we need a more holistic and thoughtful approach to technology integration in education. This approach should start with a clear understanding of the goals and values of education, as well as the needs and aspirations of students and teachers. It should also involve ongoing evaluation and improvement of edtech products, based on rigorous research and feedback from users.

Furthermore, this approach should prioritise equity and inclusion, recognising the diversity of learners and the complex social and cultural contexts in which they learn. It should also foster collaboration and dialogue among all stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, policymakers, and industry leaders. By working together, we can create!

Leapfrogging into the future!

India’s education ministry made some significant announcements in the past 6 months. The announcement of setting up foreign university campuses in India, a hands-up for e-degrees, dual degrees & twin degrees as well as a major impetus on skills development is going to snatch a major market for edtech sector.

As per the recent report by Technavio on the Online Education Market, India’s online education market is set to grow at a CAGR of 21 per cent between 2020-24 to reach a market size of US$ 14.33 billion, indicating that prospects of this area are vast. The Edtech segment is one of the fastest to grow with such impressive numbers. Some of the unicorn edtech leaders even stated that the sudden downfall of edtech market will not be lingering for long. The market will rise and will rise high.

Digital-First Approach in Education: Addressing Challenges

Article

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

April 21, 2023

“In today’s consumer world, the way buyers and sellers interact with each other has fundamentally changed, becoming digital-first. Digital experiences are critical in the buyer’s journey, especially in education”, shared Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder, Extraaedge at the 25th Elets World Education Summit in Dubai.

“The increasing competition, changing student expectations, and the need for digital adoption are the recent trends in education. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the go-to-market strategy for education became digital-first, and this paradigm shift has created challenges for higher education. Challenges such as the admission experience, consistent brand building, effective communication, understanding what courses are selling well, and timely communication are still prevalent in the industry. To address these challenges, higher education institutions need to focus on providing a tailor-made experience, consistent brand building, effective and on-time communication, data-driven decision-making, and real-time communication to meet the expectations of Gen Z”, added Abhishek Ballabh, Co-Founder, Extraaedge.

Our aim at Extra Edge is to assist universities worldwide in becoming more proficient in their go-to-market strategies by addressing their challenges. The key to resolving these obstacles is to create a digital experience that incorporates a human touch. Selling courses is a career-defining move that necessitates human guidance, but it must also be a digital experience, he concluded.

UGC proposes Earn-while-Learn scheme for ‘Disadvantage Group’

Higher Education

By

digitalLEARNING Network

-

April 20, 2023

A significant intervention to make higher education institutions more welcoming and secure for socioeconomically disadvantaged groups, including SCs, STs, OBCs, religious and linguistic minorities, among others, has been proposed in the draft guidelines framed by UGC for providing an equitable opportunity for these sections by allowing students to work part-time (20 hours per week) while studying to help them earn and improve employability.

UGC, the organisation that regulates higher education, made the draught of “Guidelines for Equitable Opportunity to the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in HEIs)” available for public comment.

A nationwide discussion on students’ mental health has been sparked by a recent series of student suicides at higher education institutions, including IITs, central universities, IIMs, and NITs, among others. The Lok Sabha was informed last month that over half of all the students who committed suicide over the previous five years belonged to the SC, ST, and OBC categories.

Additionally, the draft suggests that institutions should offer new students relevant orientation, bridge courses, and professional and psychological counseling. These students may need assistance with language barriers or with a smooth transition to rigorous engineering and other professional courses, so the draught suggests these services. It states that counsellors “must ensure the students’ physical, psychological, and emotional well-being.”

The plan has been designed in accordance with the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which broadly categorises SEDGs based on gender identities, particularly those of women and transgender people, socio-cultural identities, including those of SCs, STs, OBCs, and minorities, geographical identities, including those of students from villages, small towns, and aspirational districts, disabilities, including learning disabilities, and socio-economic conditions.

The ‘Earn-while-Learn (EWL)’ scheme, according to the draft, is a way to assist SEDG students in earning money to support their studies while developing skills and abilities that would improve their employability. Additionally, it will assist in lowering the student dropout rate.

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