Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Coimbatore Chapter organised a two days National Education Conclave on the topic: The Future of Higher Education: Challenges and Opportunities at Coimbatore on Friday.
Prof.P.Kaliraj, Vice-chancellor, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore was the Chief Guest, delivered the inaugural address.
He said a blended mode of education comprising both physical and virtual teaching and learning methods will come into practice in the educational arena in post-pandemic periods. Virtual mode is saving time more than physical meeting. Tamil Nadu already reached the expectations of our national policy on enrollment and in higher education. It is time to bring quality education to the students.
While pointing about industry and academia he told manufacturing process mode is getting changes from the traditional methods. We have to prepare the students to fit for new manufacturing process requirements. The manufacturing process now has digital technology. Digital transformation is playing a significant role in the industry. Educational institutions should prepare the students for the current needs in the industry and also include them in the digital transformation. Preparedness of the students for the digital era of the industry is the need of the hour he felt. Innovating education in the era of industry 4.0 is getting prominent.
Coimbatore is the right place for industry and academia relations. Coimbatore is having more number of NIRF Ranking institutions. Attract the international students to study in Coimbatore. Glue grant – a game-changer for Coimbatore educational and industrial hub is going to take place.
By which University is going to connect all types of educational institutions, multiple institutions and industry in one fold and going to involve various activities. This is the first step for multidisciplinary. Educational institutions are going to get new types of benefits from the glue grant. A multi-disciplinary approach for the students is very important now. Product-oriented research is also very important, he said.
We should ensure students and faculty excellence in all areas. Big data and data analytics, AI, IOT should be included in the syllabus in all streams. Introduce innovative programmes based on the current needs in the curriculum and transfer the skill of the students based on the current needs. Increase the employability skills of the students. He mentioned that the responsibility of the teacher is to bring more innovations.
Teachers should convert their patents into a product. Any outcomes from the educational institutions should reach the society. Also any technology should reach the people. Also speaking he asked the educationalist to take the best practices from the global educational policies to develop our country’s education. Presently 90 percent of students are taking the arts and science courses. Students and parents are now realising the current needs, hence they are preparing arts and science colleges finally, he told.
Meanwhile S.Prashanth, Vice-Chairman, CII, Coimbatore delivered the welcome remarks. Dr.R.Nandini, Co-Chairperson, CII -Educational initiatives addressed on the theme of the conclave. Dr. Vijila Kennedy, Convenor, Educational Panel proposed the closing remarks. Academicians, industrialists and many others took part in the conclave.