Innovation and Skill Development Ensures Inclusive Progress: AICTE Chairman

India is climbing the ladder to become the third-largest economy in the world. In the last 10 years, India has significantly contributed to various sectors through several reforms that have projected economic growth. In a rapidly changing world, innovation and skill development are critical to national progress. 

T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, India Council of Technical Education (AICTE), addressed the technological advancements in the changing education landscape and talked about how emerging technologies such as quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) are redefining our lives, with AI mastering skills once thought to be uniquely human.

“The shelf life of skills is shortening, making continuous learning and adaptability more important than ever. Today, it is not enough to possess technical knowledge; one must be adaptable and continuously learn. For instance, generative AI tools like ChatGPT can now produce complex outputs, from poems to technical reports, in mere seconds—tasks that previously required years of human expertise," he added further.

 India’s Technological Leadership:

India's technological strength is evident in its leadership in space, defense, and nuclear technologies. The country's space missions, including the low-cost Mangalyaan and the successful Chandrayaan-3 landing at the lunar South Pole, have garnered global admiration. 

 “These achievements underscore India's capacity to push technological boundaries, a feat made possible by the country's robust educational system, particularly in engineering and management. Every year, India produces 1.5 million engineers, making it the world's largest producer of technical graduates,"  said Sitharam

 “These engineers are not only driving innovation within India but are also leading global companies. More than 2,000 multinational corporations have established Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India, leveraging the country’s engineering talent to solve complex global problems”, he informed. 

 Sitharam informed that despite these successes, India faces significant challenges in expanding access to higher education. With a school enrollment rate of 95 per cent in primary education, the country’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education is only 28.3 per cent. This means that out of 26.5 crore children in school, only 4.3 crore continue to higher education. 

“India has made significant strides, increasing its GER from 11 per cent in 2001 to 28.3 per cent in 2023. However, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims for a GER of 50 per cent by 2035, which would require an additional 4 crore students to enter higher education. Achieving this goal is essential for sustaining India’s economic growth and positioning the nation as a global leader in technology and innovation”, he said further.

Embrace Skills and Technology:

The Government of India recognizes that traditional degrees alone will not suffice in this new era. There is a growing emphasis on skilling, reskilling, and upskilling, particularly in emerging fields like data science, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors. In response, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has pioneered several initiatives, including the establishment of specialized programs in thousands of colleges across the country. 

“By 2021, AICTE had already graduated its first batch of data science and AI specialists, and the organization continues to develop cutting-edge curricula in collaboration with industry experts. The semiconductor industry, in particular, is poised for growth, with 15,000 graduates in VLSI technology expected to enter the workforce within the next two years” " Sitharam said.

 As India continues to innovate and educate, it must also address the significant dropout rates in middle and high school, ensuring that more students can benefit from higher education. “The challenge is immense, but with the right policies and a commitment to continuous learning, India is well on its way to becoming a global leader in technology, education, and innovation”, Sitharam concluded.

Musharrat Shahin

BW Reporters The author is working as correspondent with BW CIO