A key strategy to realize this vision involves the establishment of more education cities across India.
A key strategy to realize this vision involves the establishment of more education cities across India.
India is setting ambitious goals for its higher education sector, aiming to attract half a million international students by 2047.
This target is part of a broader vision for India’s educational landscape, which anticipates a significant transformation driven by technological advancements, especially artificial intelligence (AI), according to BVR Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, at the 18th FICCI Higher Education Summit.
NITI Aayog’s vision for 2047, marking a century of India’s independence, places education at its core. Subrahmanyam emphasized the need for India to enhance its global standing as a provider of quality education. Achieving this will require improvements in the quality of education, brand value, and global rankings of Indian institutions.
“NITI Aayog is preparing a vision document for 2047, and education has a separate role in it. One of the important points in this is that, by 2047, we aim to target half a million foreign students in India. We should become the global provider of education by improving our quality, brand value, and improving our rankings, which are globally recognized,” he stated.
This ambitious goal reflects India’s aspirations to become a global education hub, attracting students from all over the world.
A key strategy to realize this vision involves the establishment of more education cities across India. These cities would serve as hubs for academic excellence, fostering an environment conducive to learning and research. Subrahmanyam called upon the private sector to play a pivotal role in developing these cities and enhancing the overall higher education ecosystem in the country.
“We need to be more innovative in the higher education sector. We need to focus on revamping the educational system so that the students are industry-ready,” the CEO said.
The involvement of private entities is seen as crucial for creating a more dynamic and responsive educational system that can attract both domestic and international students.
The CEO of NITI Aayog also highlighted the imperative need for innovation in the higher education sector. He stressed the importance of revamping the educational system to make students industry-ready, preparing them for the rapidly evolving job market. This approach indicates a shift towards more practical and applied learning methodologies, aligning educational outcomes with industry requirements.
Technology, particularly artificial intelligence, is poised to play a transformative role in the higher education sector. Mr. Subrahmanyam asserted that embracing AI is essential for universities to stay relevant and competitive in the global arena.
“Technology is going to blow up the higher education sector (in India). The universities have to embrace AI in a big way to stay relevant and competitive,” Subrahmanyam said.
The integration of AI into academic curricula and research could revolutionize teaching methodologies, student engagement, and research capabilities, providing Indian institutions with a cutting edge in the global education market.
Furthermore, Subrahmanyam pointed out the crucial role of universities in shaping students’ thought processes. He emphasized that Indian universities and higher educational institutions have a 25-year window to leverage the potential of India’s demographic dividend.
“Universities will invariably play a huge role in developing the right thought process of students. Indian universities and higher educational institutions have a period of 25 years to exploit the potential of India’s demographic dividend,” he said.
This period is critical for harnessing the young population’s talent and energy, transforming them into a skilled workforce that can contribute significantly to the nation’s growth and development.
The vision outlined by NITI Aayog’s CEO for India’s higher education sector is both bold and transformative. It envisions India not just as a regional leader but as a global education destination. The focus on technology, especially AI, and the call for innovative approaches in higher education underscore the country’s commitment to adapting to the rapidly changing educational landscape.
With these initiatives, India hopes to create a robust and dynamic educational system that caters not only to its vast population but also to students from across the globe.
