Reorientation of Higher Education in India: Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani

Dr Niranjan Hiranandani – Provost – HSNC University, Mumbai

National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a policy that was introduced after 34 years promises to
reboot the system for good, especially the higher education landscape in India. Over the years,
many stakeholders have ensured that primary education is provided but higher education is
often compromised. Now, NEP is one such reform that casts techniques for one to excel not
just in primary or higher education, but also technical education. This will encompass the
requirement of being industry ready for the next-gen workforce.

In fact, even in these unprecedented times, technological disruption turned education into an
easy to access mode across the globe, allowing budding force to adapt the extra skills required.
It is a fact that these reforms in the midst of a pandemic have their set of pros and cons but
pros outweigh the cons. Education has now become an instrument for economic progress along
with playing its original role to provide context for human development. With increased
inclination towards the economic development, the education industry needs timely reskilling
and up-skilling to not be obsolete. Which is why, a progressive shift towards a hybrid model
where the fundamental motive of higher education remains equally acknowledged along with
its instrumental purpose, making it an embracing approach for an overall development of
human capital as well as the economy. Thus, while the proposed policies be materialized,
enlightening words of Albert Einstein should be kept in mind. He once said, “The
value of a college education is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to
think”.

To ensure, the modern techniques rightly uplift the demand for skills and accelerate the pace of
the working populace, the regulators are promoting practices such as technological
competence and complex problem-solving by critical thinking and multitasking, which also
increases competition at the same time. There should be a blended modus operandi that
equally highlights the essence of recreational values in the community alongside the basics one
has been learning over the years. This in turn will also need a renovated attitude of teachers,
which will now measure their competency on new scales; especially with the format of
multilingual curriculum where students find difficult to adapt English or a currently used
language in the early stages.

In fact, teachers in India are also ready to incorporate the international stand point along with the languages as a progressive reform that make India a global hub. I just recollect the words of Benjamin Franklin, “Investment in education pays the best interest” and it reflects in my mind that these reforms are an investment. The better the reforms, the better will the upcoming cohort be. The growth fluctuates proportionally to the education a country provides, especially higher education. A step of India towards liberal education is an opportunity to shape the future. The paradigm shift from standardized pedagogy to personalization as per the needs and talents of students makes a mark on the global map for more and more students to pursue higher education and from the respective country and organization which acknowledges their requirements. Considering the rich literature, heritage, innovation and other advancements that our nation has to offer, effective implementation of education policies create a purpose and impact of higher education on the economy and the broader society transforming through time in conceptual framework. And just like our education minister rightly points out, India is on the journey of regaining its title of ‘Vishwa Guru’.

Besides, as the world of education continues evolving, it is the duty of the regulating authorities to not let the reforms create a negative stir in the industry and among the stakeholders. The key to align the prospective developments with the plan of action in every possible arena is via an accommodating and synthesized process. It is furthermore crucial to have the action plan backed with research in fields that identify India with a distinct and eminent status for higher and technical education. This is possible when an integrated approach of including emotional competencies, life and info-savvy skills along with the core area of study is adapted by universities and education institutions. Although, it is often noticed that institutes lack accentuating on even speaking about delicate topics, but it is high time for autonomies and authorities to pronounce a code for students and teachers to be comfortable bringing up fragile and intricate topics at the place of study.

All these points stated in course of action promise to reorient the education scenario as an advancement ant not merely a far-fetched proposal, except for those who contemplate the reimagined outlook.

– Dr. Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost of HSNC (Hyderabad Sind National Collegiate) University.

The cluster University constitutes of Mumbai’s three reputed colleges – KC College, HR College and Bombay Teacher’s Training College (BTTC).