ASSOCHAM has been playing a pivotal role in reshaping the educational landscape by representing the interests of higher education and skill development for different segments in India, and by being an integral part of the mechanism that bridges the gap between the policymakers of nation and the academia in a Post COVID 19 world. 

Bringing together over 1000 educationists, ASSOCHAM organized a live conversation with the Hon’ble Union HRD Minister Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’  today. Among those present on the occasion were: Mr. Deepak Sood, Secretary General, ASSOCHAM; Dr. Prashant Bhalla, Chairman of ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Education & President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions; Mr. Kumwar Shekhar Vijendra, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Education; Mr. Vineet Gupta, Co-Chairman, ASSOCHAM’s National Council on Education; Mr. Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, Lovely Professional University; Mr. S S Sandhu, Founder Chancellor, Chandigarh University; among other senior academicians.

The Hon’ble Minister Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ called upon all ASSOCHAM members and the corporate world to dedicate their CSR budgets for the education sector. He rightfully quoted, “Education is the backbone of our economy and we need to enhance education to enhance the capability of our nation.” While sharing the progress made in the last three months towards digitization of education with stellar programs like ARPIT, SWAYAM BRABHA, YUKTI, Smart India Hackathon; he further said that under the National Research Foundation the government is looking at investing Rs. 20,000 crore annually for research and development. 

Mr. Deepak Sood shared his opinion on a new world. He said: “We are trying to digitalize education but ‘Phygitial’ concept needs to be introduced where physical appearance and digital concept needs to be merged for the optimum result of our combined efforts.”

Dr. Prashant Bhalla during his address requested for administrative and financial autonomy for high performing private institutions. He also vouched for loans with lower interest rates for the economically weaker students under the New Education Policy. A single parameter for categorizing all higher education universities on the lines of global universities was also requested. 

Mr. Vineet Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, ASSOCHAM, said, “A new education system needs to be introduced and the time was never better than now. A virtual classroom where AR-VR technology is there must be used to enhance the learning capabilities of students and faculties.”

“As the Hon’ble Minister has said that the 21st century is about knowledge and India is the reservoir of Knowledge, we would like to work with the Government to make India a super power in Education. Let the students from other countries come here to study and let our teachers go all over the world to broaden their horizon. The announcement of the HRD Minister to set the National Research Foundation with a budget of Rs. 20,000 Crore is very welcome. We would request that this funding be available to private institutions as well”, said Mr. Vineet Gupta. 

Mr. S S Sandhu requested the government to allow January intake of students as done by most universities across the globe so that the Indian Institutes are able to cater to International students. Atam Nirbhar (Self Reliant India) Youth is Game Changer. “To encourage youth towards innovation and research, Government should enhance funds to promote Youth Research and Entrepreneurship. Already Government has announced the formation of National Research Foundation which is an appreciable step. But it needs to be boosted and stepped up”, he added. 

Mr. Ashok Mittal suggested that the Hon’ble Minister should allow representatives from Government and Private Universities to meet with him and share first-hand experiences that can be captured in the New Education Policy that shall steer the country for the next few decades. To this the Hon’ble Minister said that the NEP will be based on inputs from lakhs of representatives and shall only then be rolled out. 

While reiterating that we need to be proactive in dealing with disruptive technologies, inter-disciplinary education and research needs to be evolved looking into the social and economic scenarios, said Kumwar Shekhar Vijendra.

All stakeholders appreciated the steep progress made by the country’s higher learning institutes in online education and in ensuring continuity of education.