Interactive Learning Is Key To Upskilling In A Rapidly Changing Workforce

Amisha Sharma Apr 20, 2023

University leaders worldwide are recognising the importance of collaboration and lifelong learning as emerging trends in education, said academic leader, Prashasti Rastogi, Director, Coursera for Campus, while delivering a keynote address at 6th BW Education Annual Higher Education Conference, held on Wednesday at Chennai.

She emphasised the need for universities to work together to create a 'GitHub of knowledge' and collaborate with industry partners to provide job-based skills to students.

"As university leaders, we prioritise strengthening academic excellence, ensuring that everything within our learning system is of the highest quality and driving student employability," Rastogi said.

"We understand that the outcome of learning is a career and we aim to equip our students with the necessary skills to succeed in their chosen field," she added

She also highlighted the disruptive nature of technology and its impact on the workforce. She stressed the importance of upskilling to stay relevant and discussed how Coursera is experimenting with personalised, interactive learning to address this need.

The keynote address by Rastogi also presented a new model for degrees, incorporating real-time information, micro-credentials and career outcomes.

"We emphasise the relevance of industry skills and micro-credentials for students to secure a job and be successful in it, as well as their influence on choosing a programme," she said.

She highlighted the importance of career-based learning and the need for universities to adapt to changing student needs.

"As university leaders, we aim to provide our students with the best possible education, skills and career opportunities, while also contributing to the growth and influence of our institutions," Rastogi said.

"Collaboration, industrialism, building talent pipelines and disruption are key trends shaping the future of education, and we must work together to embrace them,” she added.

Providing a perspective from the industry, Rev Dr C Joe Arun, SJ, Director, Loyola Institute of Business Administration, said, "There is a need to have a change in the thought process, which has not happened and if this has not happened the thought process changes. I don’t think we will be successful in what we are suggesting."

"We have shifted from the pipeline to platform scale, all the businesses have shifted from pipeline model to platform model. Earlier, pipeline, product, channels, marketing, selling, consumer. Now in platform model - everybody is doing everything and education also but we have not changed. Everybody is equal, consumer is more knowledgeable than us," he further said.