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102 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM By Shruti Tripathi INTERVIEW In conversation with BW Education, V Venkata Ramana, Vice Chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE), apart from an overview from an education point also shared how Telangana is more liveable than any other Indian state A Young State Excelling In Education B eing cognizant enough for the significance of higher education especially for a young state like Telangana, the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) functions to ensure equal opportunity and quality education in the higher education of Telangana. Sharing the overall performance, vision and possibilities of improvement in the higher education institutions of Telangana,V VenkataRamana, Vice Chairman, Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) had a brief talk with BW Education. Edited excerpts: What is your overview of Telangana’s higher education? Telangana is a younger state in the country and also, both from an educational and industrial standpoint, it is one of the top-doing states in the country.After the formation of Telangana, the focus has been on the state's development. The state will continue to do well under the new leadership of ourChief Minister. If one looks
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 103 at the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) of Telangana, it is almost 10 per cent more than the national average. There are around 60 to 70 per cent of female studentson campuses. Overall educational ecosystem in Telangana is very favourable for the holistic development of students. Telangana in South India is very distinct as there are no language barriers in the state because it's a cosmopolitan city. So overall, it is well set to become the educational hub for the country. How do you see the coming of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 influencing higher education in Telangana? NEP in a larger sense is coming after a long period of educational reforms. Even from Telangana, we had the opportunity to give out our opinion, but I think a little more stakeholder discussions are required, especially from the higher education perspective. Higher education has a multitude of educational institutions, multiple entry & exit, academic bank of credit, internationalisation and research. So, these are issues which we are facing. So, we need to have a more categorical thought process. How does Telangana stand out among all the other states and is fertile for every educational development? Broad factors which we can highlight that make Telangana distinct are its liveability index and the convenience of being a smaller state, it can be covered in just three hours. Telangana people are really friendly and one in 10 households of the state in the city has a diaspora abroad. There is a driving passion here to excel in education. People in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh work hard to provide the best quality education to their wards. I think it's the right time for foreign universities to lookhere. Because there is no need for our students to pay so much abroad. We can have your degree you can have faculty exchange and we can have collaborative research academic staff. What are your views on foreign universities being set up in India? The matter is, if a good institution comes in, the whole ecosystem gets affected positively. I think it's good to allow some, it's it should be a waitand-watch approach and also there must be some filtration policy, every next institution should not be allowed. There should be category-wise entries; sciences, humanitiesand high tech, for example, the National University of Singapore does well in many streams. What is the vision and objective of the Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) for the new year 2024? Under the guidance of the government led by Chief Minister, Revanth Reddy, we would like to focus on three things. One is the access to education for everyone that includes the approach and dissemination of knowledge from all sources and development of all the universities as envisaged by the government strengthening research. We will also focus on making our presence nationally through NAAC and another grading system. In 2024, TSCHE will also work to benefit rural Telangana and will provide every possible assistance to them, as they require handholding to get into new-age courses, emerging technologies, internships and placement operators. We will work for more enrollment of girls and give them more opportunities both domestically and abroad.We will emphasise on co-creating knowledge with industry internships and I think the industry in Telangana is also committed to strengthening higher education in the state.
104 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM What is NMIMS’s vision for higher and professional education? NMIMS Deemed to be University is driven by the vision and mission of its parent body, the Trust – SVKM. The vision is to become a highly reputed national educational hub with international recognition. The university aims to create good quality socially sensitive human resources who can solve real life problems. The mission of all our programmes is to prepare our students to be life-long learners. The valuable contribution of our faculty towards the generation of knowledge, their dedication to providing par excellence learning ecosystem, delivery of quality teaching, thoughtful mentoring ensure the future success of our students. Our ability to attract quality faculty members has stood us in good stead in our search for excellence and emerging as an outstanding centre for learning. Shri Vileparle Kelavani Mandal (SVKM) is a Public Charitable Trust registered under the Society’s Registration Act and Bombay Public Trust Act. From its humble beginnings in 1934, when it took over the Rashtriya Shala, a school established in 1921 in the wake of the National Movement, the Mandal today has grown into a big educational complex imparting high-level education to more than 35,000 students. INTERVIEW Dr Siddhartha Ghosh, Director, NMIMS Hyderabad, on the impacts of emerging technologies, role of coding and programming languages in educational landscape and mission & vision of the institution By Barkha Rawat How do you think emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning can positively impact education in the future? Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) hold immense potential to revolutionise education positively. Also today we have significant growth in the field of Deep Learning. These technologies can provide personalised learning experiences, catering to individual students' needs and learning styles. AI-powered tools can assess students' strengths and weaknesses, offering targeted interventions to enhance understanding. Moreover, AI and ML can automate administrative tasks, freeing up educators' time to focus on personalised instruction and mentorship. Virtual tutors and intelligent educational platforms can supplement traditional teaching methods, offering additional support and resources for students outside the classroom. In your opinion, what role do coding and programming languages play in the modern educational landscape? Coding is the new mantra to solve real life problems. In the contemporary educational landscape, coding and programming languages serve as indisCreating Socially Sensitive Human Resources
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 105 “In a world where technology is ubiquitous, coding promotes digital literacy, enabling individuals to comprehend and engage with the rapidly evolving technological landscape” pensable tools for equipping students with essential skills for the digital era. Beyond the technical proficiency they provide, coding fosters problem-solving abilities, logical reasoning and creativity. It acts as a gateway to understanding the mechanics of technology, empowering students to navigate and contribute to an increasingly digital society. In a world where technology is ubiquitous, coding promotes digital literacy, enabling individuals to comprehend and engage with the rapidly evolving technological landscape. On one side where we have the established languages like C, C++, Java, C#, Python etc. we also have new strong languages like Go which is much easy to learn and code. The concept of 'bring your own device' (BYOD) has become common in many educational institutions. What benefits does BYOD provision offer? BYOD in educational institutions offers various benefits. Firstly, it promotes personalised learning, allowing students to use familiar devices that suit their preferences and learning styles. It fosters a sense of ownership, increasing student engagement and responsibility for their education. BYOD also facilitates seamless collaboration, as students can easily share information and collaborate on projects using their chosen devices. Additionally, it prepares students for the technology-driven workforce, enhancing digital literacy. Costeffectiveness is another advantage, as institutions may reduce spending on device provision. Overall, BYOD provisions empower students, enhance collaboration and align education with the evolving technological landscape. How is the NMIMS incorporating NEP guidelines in its curriculum? NMIMS is moving fast in acquiring NEP and its guidelines. Many threeyear courses are getting converted to four-year courses with multiple entry and exit. All the students are getting registered under ABC (Academic Credit Bank). All the faculty members are getting trained internally and also completing Malaviya Mission Teacher Training programme run by UGC. How do you envision integrating Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance principles into the institute’s operations? Integrating Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) principles into an institute's operations in India involves a multifaceted approach. Environmentally, the institute can adopt sustainable practices such as energy efficiency, waste reduction and green infrastructure. Socially, fostering diversity and inclusion, implementing fair labour practices and contributing to local communities through outreach programs are essential. On the corporate governance front, transparent decision-making processes, ethical financial practices and accountability mechanisms need implementation. Collaborating with local communities, industry partners and government bodies can strengthen the institute's commitment to ESG.
106 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM In conversation with BW Businessworld, Y Lakshman Kumar, Director, Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management (VVISM), provides his overview for including research into management studies and also suggests measures to tackle the affordability aspects of Indian B-schools By Shruti Tripathi S outhern India is known for its educational excellence and performance primarily because of the commitment of institutions to a better deliverance of education services. Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management is one such management institute in the South India that has been contributing to a better future for students. In conversation with BW Businessworld, Y Lakshman Kumar, Director, Vishwa Vishwani Institute of Systems and Management (VVISM), shares the overall changes the higher education sector in India is experiencing and also stresses how VVISM is working in the direction of research management and aligning curriculum with industry. Edited excerpts: How do you see the Indian education sector as a whole growing and performing on the global stage? Over the past decade, there have been changes in the education sector. Initiatives like the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aim to bring about improvements in the quality of education. INTERVIEW "Research In Management Has Power To Solve Real-life Problems" India has swiftly embraced technology in education, leveraging resources and online courses to enhance opportunities. This not only expands access to education, but also elevates the standing of Indian degrees and institutions on a global scale. Additionally, more Indian students are now seeking education which contributes positively to the reputation of education worldwide. The focus on fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the education sector fosters a globally competitive environment. Incubators' startup initiatives and an emphasis on practical skills development are increasingly prevalent. While these trends are favourable overall, challenges such as ensuring quality education in areas addressing infrastructure limitations and resolving issues related to testing and assessments must be tackled for sustained growth.
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 107 What is the significance of research for a management institution and how does your institution work in that direction? Research plays a big role in institutions and management institutions are no exception. It not only contributes to the creation and advancement of knowledge but also enhances the quality of teaching and learning. Through research, new knowledge is generated in the field of management. It allows teachers to incorporate insights and real-world examples into their curriculum. Additionally, high-quality research helps build the reputation of an institution. Moreover, management research frequently focusses on addressing problems faced by organisations. Developing solutions through research management institutions contributes to advancing business practices. Engaging in research activities allows a management institution to assess and enhance its practices. This may involve evaluating teaching methodologies and programme effectiveness or ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant, to evolving business needs. At VVISM, we actively promote this culture by offering a course on research writing. What are some new-age disciplines that B-schools need to integrate into the curriculum apart from conventional ones? While traditional fields like finance, marketing, human resources and operations remain important in the world of management, B-schools must adapt to the changing business landscape and embrace trends. In my opinion, there are emerging areas that deserve our focus; Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Digital Marketing and E-commerce Agri-business Management, Pharma Management, Healthcare Management, Innovation Management, Sustainability and Environmental Management, Entrepreneurship and Start Management, Supply Chain and Logistics Management, and Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. By incorporating these disciplines into their programmes, B-schools can better cater to the evolving needs of the business world. Produce graduates who are well-prepared to tackle modern challenges and seize opportunities. India is a middle-income country and management courses are costly. How can that issue be solved? Apart from state universities, the cost of management education is a concern as it is not affordable for many. In India, many B-schools are implementing strategies and initiatives to address this issue. Some institutes are offering merit-based scholarships to support students from different backgrounds. Additionally, some institutions provide both merit and means scholarships to deserving students. While academia is grappling with admission challenges, the industry can play a role by fostering collaborations and sponsoring a student. This could include providing them with internships and placement opportunities. Due to the pandemic, paying fees has become increasingly burdensome. To alleviate this strain, some schools offer payment plans. Addressing the affordability of management studies requires an approach involving institutions, government bodies, industries and the students themselves. How does your institute work to align curriculum with industry? VVISM is a growing business school located in Hyderabad. In addition, to our facilities, we are committed to preparing our students for careers. Some of our students are even trained to become entrepreneurs. Our Industry Advisory Board comprises industry experts and professionals who provide insights into industry trends. The curriculum is designed to foster interaction between academia and the industry. Guest lectures, seminars and workshops led by industry experts help bridge the gap between theory and practice. Field studies and internships allow students to gain experience in the market. We also offer skillbased courses that include training in software, tools or methodologies. Soft skills development is integrated into the curriculum well because communication, teamwork, problem-solving and leadership skills are just as important as expertise, in the professional world.
108 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM BS Patil, Director, Dayananda Sagar Business School, Bengaluru, describes the exposure that students get to industry practices and global trends By Meha Mathur Every domain of life, including education, is now impacted by AI. How are you responding to it? A I has become integral part of all levels of education, especially higher education. Many institutions have not yet started its application but I foresee great usage of AI in academics, budgeting, maintenance and administrative mat ter s . T here is less chance of errors. It helps us with 99 per cent perfection. Is there a worry over originality and creativity being impacted? Definitely it will be impacted. This generation uses more devices and enjoys learning through technology. In this scenario, teachers have to upgrade themselves to deliver accordingly. To this end, Dayananda Sagar Business School has tieups with organisations to impart new technical knowledge to teachers so that they can deliver as per the requirements of present-day students. What other upgrades is the institution going for? We have a policy of faculty deputation wherein we send a few faculty members to various IIMs where the latest trends are being taught. These faculty can, in turn, teach the other faculty. What change do you see in student profile and aspirations today, as compared to, say, a decade earlier, when they wanted a job with a multinational? What is it that they now want from a B-school experience? Earlier generations never bothered about how a classroom looked like. But the generation now expects posh, airconditioned classrooms. And ultimately, they want less time to be spent in classrooms and more time in other activities. Recently we had a programme called flea market. It’s a very big campus with various schools and colleges. We engage students in different ways to break the monotony of classrooms. And as part of flea market we gave Rs 1,000 to 10 teams and to sell a product or service of their choice on the campus. And they made it happen. At the end of the day they came back with reports INTERVIEW “At Our B-school, Classroom Teaching Is Only 20% Of The Whole Experience”
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 109 “Dayananda Sagar Business School has tieups with organisations to impart new technical knowledge to teachers so that they can deliver as per the requirements of present-day students” regarding what they had learnt. They enjoyed the process and shared this is how they want to learn. So, in our B-school, classroom teaching is only 20 per cent of the whole experience. Rest of the teaching-learning experience is in the form of experiential learning. It can be self-learning or guidance from industry person. Eighty per cent of our syllabus is taken by industry professionals and alumni. We have a lot of senior alumni coming in to help us understand the gap between the curriculum and industry requirements. How do you ensure a healthy industry-academia interface so that the students are continuously in sync with what the industry wants? In our B-school, starting from the design of the curriculum till the placement, at every step we involve industry professionals. We have a large number of professors of practice, including CEOs, general managers and senior vice presidents getting involved in curriculum design and mentoring too. So, mentoring happens at the level of faculty, alumni and industry professionals. By involving industry professionals, our programme becomes practice-oriented and our students become problem solvers and creative thinkers. Another important dimension of management education today is ESG. What is your approach to ESG and how are you taking it forward? We have a course on Corporate Governance, Ethics and Business Sustainability. This is taught by the president of Humanistic Management Center, Switzerland. He takes a full course each year on the campus. He uses case studies and practices to show how organisations can be sustainable. At our end, we are also sensitising our students that they should aspire to be job providers rather than job seekers and their organisations grow sustainably. Yet another dimension is multidisciplinary approach, which is being fostered in sciences and humanities. How is it being fostered in management? This is a component of New Education Policy. On our campus, a number of disciplines are taught, like engineering and biosciences. We have a system called ‘open source’. We have some fixed credits which are mandatory. But we give them the option to pursue a course from another discipline like engineering. The credit points that the student gains from the engineering course will be transferred to management. So, the flexibility to choose courses is given, but it should be relevant to management. How is NEP being rolled out on the campus? While there is a dilemma between NEP and State Education Policy, some of the components are being independently implemented.
110 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM By Shruti Tripathi S tarting from a standalone institution to a university, Woxsen University has come a long way and experienced much as an educational institution. Talking with BW Education, the CEO of Woxsen University brings insights into the current changes and trends in the higher education industry and also shares how his institution stands out among them. Edited excerpts: How is Woxsen University doing in the higher education industry? What are the changes you witnessed in the ambit of higher education in India over the years? We started as a standalone education institution in 2013, then we shifted and became a university in 2020. When we became the university, the ballgame completely changed as a higher education institution, because we are from a three-school independent autonomous institution, today, we have seven schools under the umbrella of Woxsen. The seven schools we are driving are dedicated to management, arts, design, architecture, technology sciences, liberal arts and law. We offer multiple sets of programmes under UG to PG and also in PhD, we stand out in terms of the curriculum, outline and pedagogy and infrastructural facilities. We have several advisory boards, who help us with the curriculum design on INTERVIEW Infrastructural facilities and good placements are not the only things, students seek in an institution rather they look for other variables too, says Vishal Khurma, CEO, Woxsen University, in a recent interview with BW Education “Embracing The Change Can Bring The Difference”
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 111 multiple bases and multiple forums. We have also 130 partner universities from across 50-plus countries who have tied up with us for such kind of benchmarking. The right balance of 50 per cent of the curriculum should be delivered in an immersive and experiential way. That helps the students to expose them to various assignments, case studies, live projects and exercises. That is the way learning becomes more strengthened and robust. How do you see the role of technological intervention in expanding the scope of learning? I feel technology plays a very vital role, technology is a horizontal capability, which is touching into every other sector and every other function of the organisation today.We are no different as a higher education institution.For us, technology plays an important role in our curriculums and programmes. These programmes are focussed towards disruptive technologies. Apart from thecutting-edgetechnology-enabled labs, we would rather prefer to provide real-world learning through the use of technology. The financial sector and fintech are booming right now. To prepare our students for tomorrow's world which is going to be completely receptive in the space of financial services and fintech. We tied up with Bloomberg Finance Lab. Today Woxsen has Asia's biggest Bloomberg Finance Lab with 20 terminals. The use of these terminals can expose our students to the realm of financial services which will be of a different order. The bedrock of our analysis has become strong because of the technology, which is making us able to understand these things in a much better way. This is how the entire spectrum of higher education has changed over the period of time. And if somebody as an institution is not embracing this, they are going to be doomed one day. What is Woxsen’s take on the sustainability aspect? On the sustainability front, there is a significant amount of work which is happening in the institution.The key verticals which we drive at the university and the beauty of that is that we are driving this along with the students not only by faculty.We went ahead from otherinstitutions and had three phases of solar power commencement at our campus; phase one is already up and it is already delivering electricity while the second phase is already in implementation. There are a lot of futuristic plans which are there in place to make sure to make us completely net zero by 2030 as a campus. From a societal point of view also our students are performing their duties, they are working for the schools of the villages situated around our campusand taking care of the needs of the underprivileged students. They continuously do various activities for the benefit of these schools, in terms of giving them resources, which are tangible and non-tangible in nature. The adoption of these villages and these initiatives signifies the sustainable approach of the students and the university has been appreciated well. We have been showcasing these initiatives in some of the international forums also, as a matter of factand one of the rankings is a positive impact ranking. What is the plan and vision of Woxsen University for 2024? The aspirations of students have changed because earlier we were thinking that academic excellence, quality faculty and good placements were all they desired but today's students have become very discerning. Their decision-making is not hinging on the conventional two or three variables, but it has become multi-variable decision-making now. Along with the academic excellence and good placements, the students are also looking for good food and the perfect way of accommodation. We are working on this and expanding our entire reach towards these different variables right now. And making sure as an institution, we can deliver value through doing the right things in each of these different variables. We are working on various research-related initiatives and also building sports infrastructure within Woxsen University. We are also emphasising research and entrepreneurship innovation.
112 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM Experts at Indian Institute Of Management World Management Conference, held at IIM Sambalpur emphasised India's potential to lead the world in digital disruptions By Abhishek Sharma Digitalisation, Decarbonisation & Democratisation Of Business EVENT
W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 113 F or the growth of the nation, the state must create inclusive political institutions such as government and elections along with smooth power transition and economic institutions like property rights, abolishing monopolies, creating a competitive environment for businesses to grow and allowing new technologies to come, said Sudhanshu Sarangi, IPS, Director General, Fire and Emergency Service, Commandant General, Home Guards and Director, Civil Defence, Odisha. While speaking at the 9th pan Indian Institute of Management (IIM) World Management Conference (WMC) at IIM Sambalpur, he said that when the country does not abuse power and corruption, the nation will grow. Sarangi stated, “The problem when we look at India is that we are growing at 5 to 6 per cent (GDP), whereas we are required to reach 10 to 12 per cent. We have a state, we have elections, but to what extent it is inclusive and what more needs to be done is the challenge.” Sarangi asserted that the countries which are struggling to create inclusive state institutions are facing hurdles because the state lacks the capacity. The economic success has to be be accompanied by with governance reforms. One can not have economic success first and then governance reforms, he stated. “If you fail to create an inclusive government, you leave out 30 to 40 per cent of your population, particularly certain sections of the society and then you will have a situation when the state will be under threat,” he added. Economic growth and beyond While talking about India’s economic growth and achieving the target of a 10 to 12 per cent growth rate, he talked about the neighbouring nation China. In the last quarter, China has seen negative Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), but for the last 20 years, they have been doing amazingly well as they were getting USD 100 to 200 billion of FDI in quarters, which we get in a year, he stated. The reason behind the massive FDI, he said was because that is the way governance was running and the business environment and ecosystem were operating. Shedding light on the more FDI inflow expectation, Sarangi asserted, “Money is not going into China and is definitely coming to India but getting distributed. Our ability to attract more investment depends upon the ability to get our governance right.” Emphasising more about a stable investment environment, he further stated that India needs to get its judicial system right as a contract law enforcement can not take 25 years and there should be proper law and
114 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM order and security. “If you can maintain law and order, GDP will grow two to three per cent straight away,” Sarangi mentioned. While highlighting the abundant opportunities in the country, Romal Shetty, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Deloitte South Asia, said that there is a need for the younger generation to stay in India and contribute to its growth. As the world navigates through dynamic economic landscapes, the S&P Global Credit Outlook for 2024 has placed a spotlight on India's pivotal role in shaping the global economy. It states that the country's gross domestic product (GDP) will grow to 6.4 per cent by 2024, 6.9 per cent by 2025 and 7.0 per cent by 2026. While speaking at the pan Indian Institute Of Management World Management Conferenceat IIM Sambalpur, Shetty emphasised the importance of innovation in various aspects of India's growth by focussing on collaboration, sustainability and digital governance. Shetty emphasised the need for a holistic approach to innovation, highlighting examples such as Chandrayan, Malcolm McLean's containerisation and Indian companies like Ceat revolutionising the logistics industry.He said, "Innovation is a fairly large topic, including growth, governance and sustainability." Shetty underscored the Apple Watch as an example of far-sighted planning for sustainability and the remarkable success of India's FASTag and goods and services tax (GST) implementation in reducing waiting time, saving fuel and curbing corruption. Notably, India's GST collection increased by 12 per cent year on year from April to December 2023, reaching Rs 14.97 lakh crore when compared to the previous year’s collection of Rs 13.40 lakh crore during the same period. The average monthly gross GST collection for the first nine months of this year was Rs 1.66 lakh crore, representing a 12 per cent increase compared to the average of Rs 1.49 lakh crore recorded during the same period in financial year 2022-23 (FY23). Talking about youth who are all set to enter the professional world, Shetty urged students to learn to look at problems from different perspectives to innovate for multiple solutions. During the conference, Surendra Nath Tripathi, Director General (DG), Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi, highlighted the scope of IIMs' role in the country and the imperative need for a mindset shift in the numerous departments and organisations within Indian ministries and the basic structure of the government. While citing an example, he said, “30 million people are governing this country and there are three crore bureaucrats right from linemen to chairman, who are part of the government and changing their mindset with 21 IIMs is not an easy task.”To develop the people of India, the country needs more insights than just data, Tripathi mentioned. Embracing local communities Amid the geopolitical crisis across the globe and concerns about an economic slowdown, Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur, said the world is changing and disrupting through digitalisation, decarbonisation and democratisation of business. While speaking at the event, he emphasised India's potential to lead the world in digital disruptions, citing initiatives such as Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) and Unified Payments Interface (UPI). He further said, "Before the colonisation, India had 32 per cent of the GDP of the world. Through innovation, sustainability and 3Ds, we can achieve it back." While talking about the recently inaugurated Rangavati Centre at IIM Sambalpur, Jaiswal stated, "This endeavour underscores our commitment to forge a significant bond with the local community, highlighting the significance of embracing and commemorating regional development and diversity." While inaugurating the Rangavati Centre of Excellence in Cultural and Sustainable Management, Union Minister for Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan said that the centre will prove to be a hub for preserving the cultural heritage of Odisha, nature worship and the rich food culture. He added, "The primary focus of the centre will be research on the art, literature, culture and history of western Odisha, with a special emphasis on textiles." EVENT
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W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 119 need to be a day school with a longer day and where children can have fun in the classroom and continue to learn outside: the two are interchangeable. Would you be a partner more for a boarding school? We would need to adapt to suit the context, whether it is suitable for boarding school or otherwise. Boarding schools offer a more expensive education but a wonderful education. Because living alongside other young people and learning about the integrity of difference; you learn not just to tolerate people but to value difference. But if the market is not right for that boarding model and there isn't an appropriate facility, then as long as there can be a full school day with curricular and extracurricular activity, the potential is there. Boarding is a bonus. What is your fundraising plan? For this project (partnerships in India), we will not be raising any funds as this project would be locally funded and self-funding over time. In the UK, our own funds are first of all obviously through fee income. In our total income every year, the fee income is over 90 percent. We have a trading arm and the trading arm runs some of the school facilities. In the school holidays, we have summer camps and our sports centre is used by local people in the evening. We have a golf course that has public members, we have a tennis centre which has some great tennis players who have learned to play tennis there. So we have a commercial business alongside the school. We have also recently spun out a virtual reality learning platform which we are hoping will generate further revenue for bursaries. Then there is fundraising through philanthropy from alumni and current parents who want to support our bursary programmes, which is the one that I started by talking about. We raise significant amounts of money and continue developing our facilities as well. Will you be making any investment in India? We are ready to make a significant human capital investment but not financial. Clearly, there is finance in supporting the human resource but we would be offering a brand, a curriculum and a range of services to support it. As such, we would be offering human resource rather than a capital investment. It is a British boarding schools are known for their excellence – not only in academia, but also when it comes to extracurricular activities such as sports, art and music. The best boarding schools enable students to achieve their full potential and become well-rounded, forward-thinking and resilient individuals. Independent British schools are known for having strict academic standards and putting a lot of emphasis on critical thinking, problem-solving and learning on your own franchise model based on sharing the DNA of an educational model developed and refined in Bradfield’s case over 175 years. What is the kind of relation you have in Saudi Arabia? We have no established relationship in Saudi Arabia. KSA is a country, which is at the moment speaking to a number of British schools, as are other gulf states because they are trying to develop their education program. Often their building links to new real estate. They will build a new zone or city and want to establish great schools in that city in order to encourage the best business people to go and work there. So they make schools part of their project. This has happened around the world in various places. I previously worked at Malborough College. It set up a school in Johor just opposite Singapore that was part of a big new real estate project with British universities, schools, lots of condominiums, a smart golf course and Legoland: it was a whole new complex. Currently there are groups in Saudi and elsewhere in the Middle East who are looking at similar projects. In Saudi there is a national project to move forwards with a 2030 vision and education is a key part of that. Do you have franchises anywhere else in the world? We don't have franchises internationally. We have another school locally with which we partner in the UK. We have been focussing on our work in the UK. We have been in discussions with potential partners in different countries for some years but are now more actively looking for good opportunities. Education is not about filling buckets or stuffing people with knowledge; it's about finding what's already within them. It is more like mining, in terms of getting out which is already there. With the huge young population in India, there is enormous potential here: ‘raw material’ which represents a wonderful natural resource. Dheeraj Jain Father of twins Saksham and Vivan studying in class IX at Bradfield College
120 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM T he inaugural Youth Eco Summit at the Siri Fort Auditorium took place in collaboration with esteemed organisations, including the United Nations, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Climate Change (MoEF) and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). The summit was held to build awareness about sustainable e-waste management. Humanitarian and actor Sonu Sood graced the summit, which showcased a lineup of personalities representing various entities. The event witnessed participation from more than 200 schools in the Delhi-NCR region, with a central focus on the theme of e-waste management during its inaugural edition. Dr Harveen Kaur, advisor to the Government of India, underscored the critical role of knowledge and awareness in cultivating individuals as eco-warriors essential for our planet's wellbeing. She outlined key measures to facilitate manufacturers and recyclers in implementing effective waste management practices. She further elaborated on the implementation of a 'control and command' framework adopted by certain smart cities. Addressing the global e-waste problem, Pankaj Bajaj, Founder, Bajaj Foundation, emphasised the importance of students in addressing the escalating global e-waste crisis and shaping a more sustainable future. He informed about a recently launched programme called ‘Beyond Tech’ running in schools, holding awareness programmes, involving children in various competitions and motivating chil - dren to understand e-waste and be more responsible in handling it. Darin Farrant, Director, United Nations Information Centre, highlighted the severity of the environmental condition growing all around the globe and how it is only getting worse. Piles of discarded computers, phones, televisions and other technologies are creating mountains of toxic waste. He shared his hope for this generation to bring about behavioural change in the environment. “The young population is far more aware, taking up the battle now and trying to bring about change themselves,” he added. Sonu Sood also participated in a panel discussion, ‘One World, One Family: Community, Industry and Government'. He underlined the importance of spreading conscious education and awareness for responsible e-waste management, besides accentuating the collaborative effort needed to achieve this. "We should hammer environment conservation learning on a regular basis to teach children and make it happen in real terms,” he added. Arijit Talapatra, CEO, TECNO Mobiles, stressed the collective responsibility of managing e-waste and talked about the opportunity for a new market for waste management infrastructure. He said that the opportunity lies in how you educate and make them aware of disposal methods and where to dispose. "We are glad to be able to connect with young students and recognise that reaching out to the youth is a necessity, as they represent the future,” he added. Abhiir Bhalla, a passionate youth environmentalist, shared insights into his impactful journey in environmental conservation. He highlighted the challenge posed by the growing tendency to accumulate electronic devices, emphasising the need for responsible disposal due to the harmful gases they emit. He stated that there has been significant progress in environmental protection at the school and college levels, with the emergence of active participation through dedicated environmental clubs. He underscored the positive trend of individuals leveraging their creativity to repurpose waste materials, effectively raising awareness across various platforms. Champions Against E-waste With a focus on empowering the youth, the Youth Eco Summit highlighted the importance of education, collaboration and responsible practices in tackling India's escalating e-waste crisis SPECIAL STORY By Musharrat Shahin
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122 B W EDUCATION MARCH - APRIL 2024 W W W.B WEDUCATION.COM Mohanbir Sawhney, McCormick Foundation Chair of Technology; Director, Centre for Research in Technology & Innovation and Associate Dean, Digital Innovation, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, was felicitated with Lifetime Achievement Award at a discussion organised by IMT Ghaziabad in Gurugram on 16 January. On the occasion, he delivered an address on the theme ‘Unlocking Business Value from Generative AI: The CXO Agenda’. To the management education fraternity at the event, he advised, “You cannot avoid AI, so make it part of your life to get to the next level.” In an exclusive interaction with BW Education, he addressed a gamut of issues pertaining to generative AI. Excerpts: How can India gain a level-playing field in generative AI? In this field, the US has been leading and a lot of innovation has come out of there but ultimately this is a race for talent. And India has the talent and technology base. So, the playing field can be levelled by using the tools already created and building upon those tools and developing applications relevant for Indian context. We have big problems in education, healthcare, agriculture and so on and creating specific applications will create opportunities. What is the future of education in the wake of AI and how can AI be used for school as well as higher education? Education will have to be redesigned ground up. Like you can either tell students that calculator is not allowed in exams or you can allow them to use calculator to do more advanced work. We need to embrace generative AI tools, to design new lessons and courses, exams and evaluations. Right from KG to higher education, integrating AI into design and development of courses is a huge opportunity. It can enable personalised learning. The flip side is that the teachers need to master the technology. They need to be trained. As they get older and less willing to learn, they are afraid of it. So, it’s a big change management question. It’s also a question of resource allocation for training. Do you think the country is ready for that? The country won’t be ready if you don’t allocate resources. Initiating a national campaign for training of teachers, finding scalable ways to train them and in fact using AI tools to train them are some of the ways. But it will take a proactive thought process and cooperation between the public and private sector and NGOs, to make it a nation-wide skilling initiative. We can have a national AI Education Policy. Do you think it could further lead to a digital divide? Yes it could be worse. It can be called the AI divide because the schools and students who have access will be able to achieve 10 times better output. What we do not want happening is that prestigious private schools become even better, while the disadvantaged students do not. In creative fields like writing and design, what are the concerns and how can India evolve regulations on the copyright front? We have to take an enlightened view on intellectual property. As I use AI to write case studies, the question is, can I copyright those? On the other hand, if I make the case study open source, that would be really disruptive because presently, students have to pay $5 for every case study at some Ivy league schools. How will the world of work and career avenues now change? It will be dramatically transformed. There will be job displacements. There will be net reduction in the number of people needed. But the people who will be there will be doing interesting work. In terms of careers, low level cognitive work like para legal, low-level coding, secretarial work will be badly affected. So, we have to challenge ourselves to get to the next level of value addition in that chain and do more creative and strategic work. “Integrating AI In Education, A Change Management Question” Mohanbir Sawhney, Associate Dean, Digital Innovation, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, describes the benefits that can accrue to Indian education with correct usage of generative AI By Meha Mathur LAST WORD
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