Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said the universities and colleges will have to formulate a plan and organisational readiness for adjustments aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) to stay relevant.
“Higher education institutions across the world are undergoing radical transformations. Universities and colleges will have to formulate a strategic plan and organisational readiness for adjustments aligned with NEP 2020 to stay relevant in a constantly evolving world,” Sinha said at the inaugural session of the ‘Roundtable Conference’ with newly appointed Vice Chancellors from various universities of the country here.
Sinha stressed the importance of improving the global rankings of India’s colleges.
“We need to increase our share in the multi-trillion dollar global education sector. Institutions with aspirational and shared vision should focus to improve ranking. It should be our top priority and we must take bold action to achieve this goal,” the LG said.
Sinha said there is a massive growth in demand for higher education. In the last 10-15 years, India has contributed 74 percent of all new higher education institutions in the world.
He said more than 13 lakh Indian students are studying in 79 countries. As per an estimate of 2020, students studying abroad are spending approximately USD 30 billion annually.
“Despite having the largest number of higher educational institutions in the world and best facilities, not a single institution of ours is included in the top 10 educational hubs of the world, because of lack of promotion,” he added.
Sinha said many countries of the global south are now focused on enrolling international students.
“But we are lagging behind. On the contrary, we top the list of countries sending the highest number of students abroad. This trend needs to be reversed with a transformational approach,” he added.
The LG said the J&K administration has taken several steps to overhaul the education system in the Union territory.
“Since September 2020, J&K is witnessing encouraging reforms in the higher education sector. Universities and colleges have been enabled to focus on demand for education outputs, industry requirements, innovation, new-age skills and to be flexible and resilient to meet the needs of tomorrow,” Sinha said.
The LG also appreciated the endeavour of the Association of Indian Universities to bring together the Vice Chancellors on a common platform to deliberate on University Governance, Collaboration and promoting innovation in the academic world.
The LG also underlined the need for the universities to adjust to the change and meet future challenges.
“Today, the pace of change in every sector is faster than before. The biggest transformational revolution is required in the university campuses,” the LG said.
“To remain relevant in the future, universities will have to function like a professional corporation in which each department, unit, and teacher play their crucial role as a separate part and form a complete organic mechanism,” he said.
Innovation and entrepreneurship cannot be taught through books. Arrangements should be made that students are involved in field learning every week, the LG said.
Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council, in his address, shared the ongoing transformation in the higher education sector in Jammu Kashmir.
Dr Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, Association of Indian University, highlighted the endeavours of AIU for enhancing the engagement of universities and teachers in reforming the education system in the country.
Prof. Nilofer Khan, Vice Chancellor University of Kashmir; Vice Chancellors of various universities; HoDs; senior officers and faculty members were present.
