CHENNAI: Make in India has always been in news for all the good reasons lately, like Jindal Stainless (Hisar) announcing its entry into the defence sector to Rahul Gandhi batting for it himself. A panel discussion around this trending topic - ‘How Can a Make in India education be made Aspirational?’ happened at the ThinkEdu Conclave’s first day. It was chaired by Vice Chancellor of National Law School, Bengaluru, R Venkat Rao.
The session started with SG Badrinath, visiting faculty-Canara Bank Chair in Banking and Finance, IIM-Bengaluru, sharing his experience of developing MOOC, an open online course which dissects complex topics into five-six minute video clips, a product of ‘Make In India’ in the education field. “All children learn differently, some find their own solutions while others follow teachers. But all teachers teach the same way,” he pointed out.
While P Rajeev, a politician, asked a very poignant question: “Whose aspirations are we talking about - those Indian students studying in foreign institutions, those studying in Indian educations or those who don’t even have a chance?” He also said that Gross Enrollment Ratio, which is 28 per cent in India out of which only eight per cent get higher education, is an issue that needs attention.
The Dean-Planning and Development, Sastra University Dr S Vaidhyasubramaniam, pointed out that the products of education system are the ones who will make the Make in India dream a reality, therefore, “it is important to give confidence to all education policy makers and participants to enjoy the confidence that education can be an inspirational tool to make Make in India, a success.”
He also cast aside reports which de-brand our talent pool, like the McKinsey 2005 report and others which say only 25 per cent of engineers are employable. He made points about the need for higher education institutions being problem solvers not problem makers and the generation moving towards being game changers.