Academics is getting fast-conversant with the modern-day job scenario. Brick-and-mortar rules of education are now being replaced with industry-academia interface. Education is focussing on inculcating soft skills, professionalism, art of presentation and communication skills in addition to the core field knowledge. Equipping students with much-needed skillset and professionalism, academics is shaping GenX for Industry 4.0. New courses are focusing more on emerging frontiers across fields.

Students and teachers affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) will now be provided training in various initiatives for skill enhancement. For this, the central board has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), which is currently organising this training for engineering students and faculty. Under the initiative, called Innovation Ambassador Programme, teachers from affiliated school will be trained through different modules.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

The pandemic has altered the scenario in classrooms as well as in the job market. New courses are stressing more on practical skills than mere theory. With SSC/HSC exams being cancelled in most of the states, experts feel that it’s time education institutes took the lessons beyond the halls of learning.

Universities have been adept in recognising the new needs, opines Prof Dr Mangesh Karad, executive president and vice-chancellor, MIT Art, Design & Technology University Pune. “Education institutes are making a significant contribution to Industry 4.0 with their work in technological research, innovation and artificial intelligence. The future of the higher education in India is going to revolve around *ABCD* i.e. Adaptive learning (more personalised), Blended Learning with practical Hands-on, Collaboration on tech-driven framework and Digital intelligence,” he says.

SKILL’S IN

Even as most of the classes are getting online, we have queries as to what happens to classroom education? When are we getting back to campus? What should be the assessment criteria? Experts aver that online education will open new doors of opportunities.

Amid the new normal, education is expected to break the glass ceiling thereby becoming able to pool the best training resources, both from industry and top institutions, asserts Dr Apurva Palkar, director- E-content (eCDLIC) and Innovation at SPPU. Dr Palkar says, “This will be an era for those, who are able to bring under their fold best in class teaching resources to build the talent capital. Huge opportunity is created to relook, rethink and co- create value in education through pooled resources, work opportunities and flexible teaching.”

INDUSTRY 4.0

The next evolution in industrial one and the job scenario is characterised by industry 4.0. It would be more knowledge and skill based with technology and artificial intelligence becoming its integral part.

Industry 4.0 requires ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices using modern technology, says Dr Mihika Kulkarni, director In-charge, MKSSS’s HNIMR. ‘’Future employees will need to be highly accomplished in the emerging technologies but also in the values associated with using those technologies. In future, we must not only hold the ability to develop the technology but also to know whether, when, and where to use that technology. The education system to align with industry 4.0 should be based on experience instead of theory. To keep up with the transformation, one has to reconsider the traditional educational standards with a futuristic approach. The curriculum and learning outcomes should focus on the 21st century skills including problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, people management, emotional intelligence, service orientation, negotiation, and cognitive flexibility. Both general and vocational education should aim at making students skill-ready to compete with the outside labour market,’’ Kulkarni adds.

Brick-and-mortar rules of education are now being replaced with industry-academia interface. Education is focussing on inculcating soft skills, professionalism, art of presentation and communication skills in addition to the core field knowledge