Engineering colleges which are unable to attract student admissions should turn into Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) or other colleges, says All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Chairman Anil Sahasrabudhe.
Speaking to The Hindu , the chief of the top regulatory body of technical eduction in the country admitted that automation and Internet of Things were resulting in shrinking of jobs. “But there is a solution and it lies in start-ups which can be the game changer,” he said, insisting that start-ups will create jobs in the country and there was a need to encourage and support them.
He said the technical sector has a huge potential to create jobs, and the Start-up Policy formed by the AICTE aimed at tapping into this. “It is designed in accordance with the ‘Start-up India’ action plan of the government at the Centre to guide and promote student driven innovations and start-ups in more than 10,000 AICTE-approved institutions across the country,” he said.
The start-up mantra
India’s vast youth talent, he said, was a force to reckon with. “Countries like Canada and South Korea have invited us for collaborations and Israel is also seeking services of the Indian talent,” he said.
He said there was a need to create a thriving ecosystem by engaging all stakeholders like investors, incubators, mentors, accelerators and others to help India become a knowledge-driven economy.
MOOCs and SWAYAM
Talking about the emerging platforms like Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM), he said considering the growing popularity of the former at a global-level, the Indian Government launched an indigenous platform SWAYAM, designed to provide access, equity and quality in education. It seeks to bridge the digital divide for students who have hitherto remained untouched by the digital revolution and have not been able to join the mainstream of the knowledge economy, he said.
He said students must take advantage of such platforms for life-long learning and enhance their knowledge.
National Testing Agency
Prof. Sahasrabudhe said the government was keen on introducing National Testing Agency (NTA) that would be responsible for conducting entrance exams relieving educational bodies like CBSE and AICTE.
“The government is on a wait and watch mode due to resistance by a few States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu. Their curriculum is not up-to-date and they feel that they will be at a disadvantage under the new system. If all States agree, it will be good because we do not want to force it on people,” he said.
