Education

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 sep 2014

The recent study by Pitchbook Data, based on the funding data between 2009 to July 2014, number of startups and analysis of educational backgrounds of over 13000 founders globally, observed that IIT's (Indian Institute of Technology) are among the top 10 of world's most entrepreneurial universities, with 264 entrepreneurs, who have founded 205 companies and cumulatively raised US$3.15 billion. On the basis of total capital raised, at the top is Stanford University (US$ 3.51 billion) and at the 2nd spot is taken by Harvard University (US$ 3.23 billion). According to Sangeet Paul Choudary of Platform Thinking Labs, 'Less than 2 percent of the applicants get selected, and less than 0.1 percent make it to a top rated branch like computer science or electrical engineering, which is where most of tech-related entrepreneurship and VC activity takes place.' The study by Kauffman Foundation found that 33.2% of all companies founded by immigrants in the US had an Indian co-founder. But a different point that should also be mentioned here is that IIT's are not able to make a higher global mark on the academic basis with most of them being ranked between 351-400, according to The Times Higher Education World University Rankings for 2013-14. Read on...

QUARTZ: Why India's best tech schools produce more entrepreneurs than the Ivy League
Author: Nelson Vinod Moses

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 08 sep 2014

India can take advantage of its demographic dividend only when its younger population is provided right direction and opportunities. It is one of the countries with an acute talent crisis with even the educated youth having insufficient skills to be effectively absorbed in the job market. India lacks behind in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) investment, with only 0.88% of its GDP in science research while US (7-8%) & South Korea (3-4%) are way ahead. Former Director General of DRDO (Defence Research & Development Organization), Dr. Vijay Kumar Saraswat, last year mentioned that only 4 out of 1000 young students opt for science & technology or research as their future career as compared to 8 in China, 55 in the USA, 76 in Israel, 76 in Germany, 46 in Korea and 110 in Japan. According to a survey, by 2020 India is estimated to have a shortfall of 1.5 to 2.2 million engineers. To be a successful developed nation, India has to focus on a comprehensive program for STEM education. Moreover it has to encourage the spirit of creativity & innovation and promote students to also pursue true research. Intel Corporation is pursuing a program in a public-private partnership, Initiative for Research and Innovation in Science (IRIS), with Department of Science & Technology and CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) to popularize science and the spirit of innovation among students of Class 5-12. The program selects innovative students through project-based competition and then these students are mentored to represent India at a global platform, Intel ISEF, and showcase their projects to win awards and scholarships. India has to develop a mechanism where students who have shown creative and innovative abilities are nurtured within the current education system and encouraged & supported to build upon their ideas. More involvement of private sector is also required to promote STEM proficiency. Debjani Ghosh of Intel, the author of article, further mentions, 'We need to encourage project based learning and inquiry based interdisciplinary approaches in the classroom. Without the change happening at the basic level, STEM will remain a periphery for our students.' Read on...

DNA: India needs a literacy movement for science, technology, engineering and maths
Author: Debjani Ghosh

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 22 apr 2014

There are different levels of adopting technology in learning and education. In case of primary and secondary education the purpose of technology is to assist students not only to get acquainted with latest technologies but also to provide them with interactive and innovative medium for enhanced and effective learning. According to Elementary Education in India report 2011-12, 48% of 1.4 million schools in India now have computers. Moreover the market for information and communication technologies in education is growing with industry reports expecting it to grow to Rs. 57,000 crore in 2014 from Rs. 285,000 crore in 2012. In India various methods of introducing technology in school curriculum are being experimented - elearning and smart classroom; computer labs in schools; laptops & tablets to individual students. But experts differ in their opinion regarding the overall utility of devices like tablets to students. According to some, considering India's socio-economic disparities and the vast primary & secondary school setup, it would be difficult to effectively enforce mandatory buying of tablets by every student. The issue of choice is also a problem when a school promotes a particular brand while enforcing this policy. Some elite schools although are experimenting with owning a device policy for students but other private and public schools are providing computer and technology infrastructure within the school premises to all students and not enforcing individual buying of devices. Government itself has been in headlines regarding its efforts to provide subsidized low-cost Aakash tablets to school students but the program seems to have got delayed. Most experts do agree with the value of technology in education and learning considering its continuously increasing involvement in everyday human life, the overall pace of technological advancements and the need to timely equip students with 21st century knowledge and skills for their better future. Read on...

SmartPlanet: Indian schools adopt tablets. Will they improve education?
Author: Betwa Sharma

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 feb 2014

Open and distance learning (ODL) system in India is not new and first started in 1962. Over the years it has grown and now more than 4 million students (22%) are enrolled in higher education through ODL mode. The regulatory mechanism of ODL system was governed by DEC (Distance Education Council) established by IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open Univeristy) in 1991. Madhav Menon Committee, constituted in August 2010 by MHRD (Ministry of Human Resource and Development) to suggest measures for effective and efficient regulation of distance education, questioned DEC's authority as the apex regulator on the basis of 'conflict of interest' (DEC being under the control of IGNOU), lack of adequate manpower and technological support. Based on the findings and recommendations of Madhav Menon Committee, MHRD and IGNOU dissolved DEC by an order in May 2013 and transferred the regulatory authority for ODL system to UGC (University Grants Commission) and AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education). Article provides detailed historical evolution of ODL system in India and the current regulatory dynamics. Moreover it suggests that more sustained reforms in this area are required to safeguard the interests of millions of students and there is need for 'independent' and 'effective' regulator for better coordination and consensus on important policy matters. The quality of ODL system has to be enhanced and upgraded. Moreover to attract more students into the ODL system, use of latest educational technologies should also be considered. Read on...

The Financial Express: The future of distance education in India
Author: Rajat Mukherjee, Rupesh Mishra

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 20 jan 2014

Search for affordable and quality education is a challenge for students all around the world. Better education is considered as a channel to provide future career opportunities. Internet and associated digital technologies focused towards education are capable of transforming the learning landscape. Initiatives like - online education from traditional universities; diverse learning content providers like Khan Academy, Alison.com, etc; MOOC platforms like Udacity, edX, Coursera etc - and not to forget the large number of self-learning content freely available through independent websites, all adds up to the online learning spectrum. Certification and degree recognition are some of the issues and challenges related to this form of education. According to University of Pennsylvania survey most of the MOOCs availing students are those that are already educated and take them up for enhancing specific knowledge and skills for career advancement, in poor countries accessed by mainly those who are wealthy and have computer and internet connection and 90% of those who register drop out without completing the course. Blended learning is also being utilized where online learning mechanism is adopted alongwith traditional education delivery. Coursera has started Learning Hubs in 10 countries that provide physical infrastructure to enhance learning access. Online learning and education space is expected to evolve innovative and more disruptive models in future particularly in a country like India with shortage of trained faculty and inadequate educational infrastructure. Read on...

The Hindu: India's virtually challenged universities
Author: C. Gopinath

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 04 jan 2014

Architects play an important role in building and developing both personal and public infrastructure and participate in the growth of nations. India is undergoing rapid urbanization and it is critical for the government and private sector to plan, facilitate and manage it with collaborative and converged approach. India's 1500 architects recently came together at IIA's (The Indian Institute of Architects) National Convention 2013 to discuss and consider various aspects and issues facing architecture including urbanization, sustainability and innovation. The convention concluded with recommendations called 'Chennai Charter' - To work for the establishment of Ministry of Architecture, Regional and Urban Planning' & Public Architecture Department, both at national and state level; Based on provisions of the Architect Act (1972) promote employment of architects in government projects; Formation of agricultural university at location where sufficient architecture schools/colleges are present. Read on...

The Hindu: Building the future
Author: Hema Vijay

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 06 dec 2013

According to Dr. Madhav Deo, member of Academic Council of MCI (Medical Council of India), the estimated 90% of healthcare providers in rural India aren't even graduates. While mentioning the government's recent scheme to create mid-level rural healthcare professionals by providing a Bachelor of Science in Community Health, he also said that it will not completely solve the rural healthcare challenges and there has to be a nationwide debate regarding the condition of rural healthcare and solutions have to be evolved. India's healthcare direction seems to be similar to what US has gone through in 20th century, particularly regarding the state of healthcare education. This bleak period in US medical education history is often referred to as Pre-Flexner Era. Abraham Flexner, an educator, submitted a report regarding the condition of medical education in 1908, and provided the recommendations that became the blueprint defining the future of healthcare in US. It considered Johns Hopkins School of Medicine as the benchmark and model for medical schools in US and helped standardize medical education all across the country. India may not have to fully copy and adopt this model but it has to create its own ideal medical school considering local realities (AIIMS can be a model to follow) and standardize medical education in the country with strict norms and conditions keeping in mind the numerous challenges and issues that medical education and healthcare services delivery are currently facing in the country. Read on...

India.com: Is the government pushing medical education into the dark ages?
Author: Nirmalya Dutta

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 09 nov 2013

Technologies are faciliating social pervasiveness of mobile phones, electronic and social media and are empowering common people to have their say in various national and international issues and provides them opportunities to participate in political, social and economic processes. According to Professor Vivek Wadhwa of Singularity University, as poor gain access to internet through tablets and smart phones and the middle class gets better connectivity India will witness a revolution in commerce, education and social values. He says that advancement in tablet technology with reduced prices coupled with cheaper and wider availability of internet provides the necessary tools for the large Indian population to not only have social interactions and community connectedness but also avail benefits through access to ecommerce and online shopping, education through available online courses from around the world (MOOCs) and media and entertainment through quality global and local digital content online. Read on...

The Times of India: Affordable tablets will give the poor a voice
Author: Vivek Wadhwa

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 oct 2013

Higher education is one of the most important thing on India's development agenda. In 12th Five Year Plan, the Planning Commission has a target to create capacity for additional 10 million students above the 25 million that are in the education system in 2011-12. One of the main focus of the plan is to improve the quality of education and skill development that would have an impact on the growth of the economy in the future. Industry experts expect technical talent coming out of Indian educational institutions should also have soft-skills for better overall value. Planning Commission mentions that Indian education system have variety of challenges like trained faculty shortage, inadequate infrastructure, outdated curricula, lack of quality research even in prestigious institutions etc. Academic experts also mention low funds and sub-standard research facilities and labs as one of the reasons for poor quality research. Moreover certain educational regulatory policies particularly in the creation of private educational institutions are restrictive for attracting private investments in the sector. Educational expert mentions the 'not-for-profit' clause as one of the main hindrance for the development of private education sector in India. Also entry of foreign educational institutions in the Indian education sector has to be considered with a balanced view and should encourage collaborations and partnerships for the mutual benefits. Read on...

Times Higher Education: India's higher education sector focuses on standards
Author: John Morgan

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Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 03 oct 2013

It is challenging for faculty to impart quality education to their students if their salaries are comparatively low. The case particularly in question is that of Madurai district in India where self financing arts and science colleges face a deteriorating education standards due to the meagre salaries they provide to their faculty, even the qualified ones. Faculty needs resources to upgrade their skills and competencies and continue to inspire and motivate their students in the best possible way. According to an expert, government has to intervene both financially and in faculty selection process to ensure better quality of education. Read on...

The Times of India: Poor salaries for faculty depriving quality education
Author: V. Devanathan

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