Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan appealed to India to build an education infrastructure that was beyond mere brick-and-mortar structures since the reality of the new millennium had introduced education in multifaceted forms. Speaking at the inauguration of a national workshop on higher and technical education wherein secretaries of states and Union Territories (UTs) attended, he was speaking of his visions about transforming the education system of India to change in tune with global advancements.
“The country must capitalize on the opportunities presented by Industry 4.0 to become a producing economy and leapfrog in education infrastructure, surpassing global standards,” Pradhan stated. He stressed that education infrastructure should not merely focus on physical facilities but should also embrace innovative educational models, technologies, and approaches to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving world.
The Minister suggested several key areas for academic leaders and administrators to focus on. These include strengthening public universities through alternative funding models, creating think tanks to align curricula with industry needs and regional aspirations, and promoting multidisciplinary research to address global challenges. He also called for the promotion of academic leadership development programs across every state and UT, facilitated through collaborations with prominent central and state institutions.
Pradhan emphasized the need for making campus life acquire its erstwhile vibrancy by infusing extra-curricular activities such as sports, debates, and performing arts; in fact, the recommendation already goes perfectly in sync with the NEP. He emphasized education in Indian languages to make it more inclusive and accessible.
It was during his closing remarks that Pradhan appealed to the power of collective efforts toward forming global leadership in India’s education. He motivated every stakeholder to strive together to attains this milestone. This meeting is a two-day workshop whereby the aim is to have knowledge shared, outline plans for implementing NEP 2020, as well as provide an opportunity for leading educationalists to collaborate with one another. Some of the discussed topics will encompass the challenges facing NEP, the application of technology in education, digital governance, as well as funding higher education.
So, with this workshop, India’s education system will undoubtedly take one step closer towards betterment and, in the process, position itself for leadership in global competition.
