The project, spanning five years, will support approximately 275 government-run technical institutions in select states in the country, benefiting over 350,000 students annually.
The project, spanning five years, will support approximately 275 government-run technical institutions in select states in the country, benefiting over 350,000 students annually.
The World Bank has approved a $255.5 million loan aimed at bolstering the quality of technical education in India and expanding career prospects for students.
The project, spanning five years, will support approximately 275 government-run technical institutions in select states in the country, benefiting over 350,000 students annually.
India’s tertiary education sector has experienced significant growth, with student enrollment increasing from 29 million in 2011-12 to 39 million in 2019-20 across 40,000 institutions.
However, recent studies have identified gaps in both technical and non-technical skills, such as reasoning, interpersonal communication, and conflict resolution.
The Multidisciplinary Education and Research Improvement in Technical Education Project will focus on enhancing student skills and employability through improved research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. It will also address governance issues within technical institutions.
As part of the initiative, students will gain access to updated curricula, including emerging technologies in communication and climate resilience.
Furthermore, they will benefit from enhanced internship and placement services, as well as networking opportunities with professional associations.
“India has one of the largest and fastest-growing tertiary education systems in the world. The project will support the Government of India’s National Education Policy 2020, which calls for modernizing this critical sector to better prepare students for emerging jobs and business opportunities,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, the World Bank’s Country Director for India in a statement.
“Improving female participation in technical education will receive special attention,” he added.
The project will specifically target outreach programs to promote technical education among prospective female students, parents, and guardians. These aim to provide better information about program options, address gender-related concerns, and dispel misconceptions regarding women’s capabilities in science, technology, engineering, and math fields.
The project will also encourage female students to connect with mentors and alumni, fostering course completion and early exposure to the world of work.
Currently, women constitute less than 30 percent of undergraduate engineering students, while those from scheduled castes and scheduled tribes face dual disadvantages.
Furthermore, studies have highlighted the need for improved research and innovation linkages between India’s education institutions, industry, and society.
Out of 9,581 technical education institutions, only 504 have incubated at least one startup, and 525 have founded two to four startups in the past two years. Consequently, the project will prioritize research and innovation in crucial sectors, such as climate change and sustainable energy.
Nina Arnhold and Namrata Tognatta, the Task Team Leaders for the project, also said that the project aims to strengthen governance and internal quality assurance mechanisms within participating institutions.
At the state level, the project will facilitate the establishment of quality assurance cells, supporting the government’s aim to empower and provide greater autonomy to educational institutions while holding them accountable for delivering effective learning and employability outcomes.
The $255.5 million loan, provided by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, has a final maturity of 14 years, including a grace period of five years.
