Dr. K.S. Chandrasekar
Our education system has crossed over 70 years and still we are following the traditional programmes and churning out graduates for the Government machinery. However, the Governments have limitation in absorbing all graduates. This is where the industry and institutions can come forth. India has about 1200 universities which caters to about 4 Crore students. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has ushered in the needed change that is required among the students to be employable and be an employer. It is reported that 48.7% of university graduates are unemployable. One of the major reasons for the same is that students were focussing on narrow subjects and trying to excel in the same. However, the NEP has changed the whole scenario. NEP provides for developing the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values on which societies rely, forging social cohesion and preparing people to become and remain as active citizens.
We have all along been following traditional programmes like Languages, Humanities, Social sciences and Sciences. Engineering and Technology has already undergone significant changes as most of the graduates are being employed by Information Technology sector. Understanding the evolution of Information Technology and the role of Artificial intelligence, emergence of industry 5.0, most of the conventional and traditional engineering programmes like Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Electronics have undergone changes. We could see the emergence of programmes like Geoinformatics, Mechatronics, Electrical and Electronics, Electronics and Applied Instrumentation, Electronics with Computer Science etc.,. It can be seen that major universities used Information technology where in Computer Science became a part of the conventional programmes. Later on Computer Science itself has changed to accommodate Information Technology but the basics of Computer Science was needed and hence Information Technology could not find a space as envisaged. This has further led to new programmes in Computer Science with Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science and Networking etc.,. Even though the engineering has undergone such changes about ten years back, it has not been taken seriously in the fields of Languages, Humanities, Social sciences and Sciences.
With the requirements of automation and computer in all fields, languages started giving importance wherein it is mandatory to have language laboratories in all institutions offering programmes in English and Linguistics. This led to new programmes like Communicative English, Journalism focusing on Digital and Web modes. Even the start of Visual Communication is also in this direction. There are possibilities of merger of programmes like History with Archaeology and Anthropology and new Bachelors and Masters Programmes can have three majors in these areas. The growth of Artificial intelligence has made sure that humanities and social sciences also embrace the same and offer new programmes which are readily accepted by the industry and institutions. Digital manusciptology, Palm leaves preservations have become the order of the day. Hence new programmes including Museology and Digital preservation needs to be provided.
India as such cannot be left behind from the evolution in Information Technology and the students need to come out of the mind-set of looking at Traditional programmes. Even the traditional programmes need to undergo changes in the structure and syllabi to enable students to be industry ready. Especially catering to the need of the students, new programmes like functional Dogri, English, Urdu, Kashmiri and Computational linguistics are needed in Jammu region. There is a need for Translational studies including Engineering. Blend of Machine learning with the traditional programmes can do wonder in terms of placements. New programmes in departments like Political science can offer Security studies, Geo politics etc.,.
In the case of sciences, there is a need for holistic learning as most of the Central Universities have moved to offering triple major. This can be considered when there are multiple departments in sciences. Many international universities are offering new innovative programmes in consultation with the industry. It is high time the universities tie-up with the industry and trade associations and include them in their various committees so that input from them can actually help develop new programmes. Alumni who are well placed and entrepreneurs can be included in respective Board of studies so that their contribution to the alma mater is also recognised. Keeping the essence of traditional programmes and merging with the contemporary digital world will ensure employability. All employers are keen on graduates who can do the job from the first day itself. It is heartening to note that Computer Application departments have been opened in all the colleges and they are helping students of all disciplines to opt for Minor courses as envisaged in NEP and that has helped students to be tech savvy. These departments could offer new programmes in MSc with specialisations in Artificial intelligence, Machine learning, Data Science etc.,. Similarly the traditional departments like Physics, Zoology and Botany could plan programmes in Bio Physics, Chemistry, Zoology and Botany with Bio Chemistry and Bio Technology bachelors and Masters Programmes. Some of the new developing areas like Space Physics, Crystallography could be considered.
The avenues that will open up in the new future could be considered by universities. Sports Medicine, Sports Management, Sports Sciences can actually be offered by the Physical education and Sports departments of the university. The full-fledged Physical Education department need to be a teaching department also. Virtual multi-disciplinary departments in new areas like Environment and Sustainability, Atmospheric Science,Nano science, Space Physics, Ancient Arts and Sciences, Design and Digital management along with the Indian Knowledge Systems can offer students with multitude of opportunities. The blend of traditional with modern courses can make up the programmes. The hybrid mode education can be planned with some of these new courses to be handled by the industry through possible online intervention can give new dimension to the overall education and make it relevant and contemporary.
Research should now encompass the modern technologies and the old topics need to be shelved. As of now the UGC has allowed fast tracking, twice admissions in a year and allowing Honours degree student to directly register for the Ph.D. programmes, new visas are opened up and students need not repeat what they have already studied as such. The research focus in the fourth year can sow the seeds of modern inquiry which will pave for higher publications, improved citations and the growth of India as a research oriented country. Sooner, there will be more students across the globe who will throng Indian campuses for their higher studies and we need to ensure both the soft and hard infrastructure.
“Out of the past is built the future. Look back, therefore as far as you can drink deep of the eternal fountains that are behind and after that look forward, march forward and make India brighter, greater, much higher than she ever was. Our ancestors were great. We must first recall that. We must learn the elements of our being, the blood, that courses in our veins; we must build an India yet greater than what she has been”
Swami Vivekananda
(The author is Vice Chancellor,
Cluster University of Jammu, Jammu)
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