Dr. S. Pradeep Devaneyan has 16 years of teaching experience. He has initiated various Centers of Excellence in fields such as cloud computing, cyber security, data analytics, process mining, robotic process automation, embedded and VLSI technologies, AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies, thus providing opportunities for students and faculty to learn about recent technologies. In a conversation with Higher Education Review Magazine, He shares his views and thoughts on potential obstacles to establishing a successful innovation ecosystem in higher education, as well as how universities can ensure that innovation ecosystems are inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of students and faculty members.

In your opinion, what role should technology and digital resources play in fostering innovation within higher education institutions?

I believe that technology and digital equipment are what drive innovation among learning institutions. Different learning resources, interactive content and multimedia materials may be made available to students with the help of technology, thereby improving their learning process. VR and AR, for example, are digital tools that make it easy to understand difficult topics as they provide an immersive learning environment. With digital platforms, students and staff can easily interact with their peers or with other experts on a global scale and adopt new ideas from a global perspective. Researchers are able to collect data, analyze it and disseminate it efficiently using advanced technologies. This may help increase the speed of research and technology development in educational setups. The use of digital resources helps bring forth online courses that make it possible for many to access education. The use of technology encourages new forms of evaluating ideas like simulation, virtual labs, and real-time feedback systems that, in turn, lead to innovation. Nevertheless, technology adoption culminates in establishing an entrepreneurship environment within an educational facility.

How can higher education institutions balance the need for traditional academic structures with the demand for innovative and flexible learning models?

To provide relevant teaching and learning opportunities, higher education institutions must balance traditionally structured academia with modern, adaptable learning frameworks. This may be achieved through providing a variety of modes of learning, like traditional face-to-face courses, online coursework, hybrid formats, and blended learning. It enables learners to select an appropriate format for their personal learning styles and schedules. Through employing competency-based education in which students are graded according to their understanding of the subject. It allows for a more adaptable and student-oriented learning process. The hour is ripe for providing ongoing professional development for faculty to include in innovative teaching approaches. Such collaboration can be instrumental in fostering interdisciplinary courses and programs in an institution that gives rounded and up-to-date training to the students. Incorporating project-based learning into the syllabus will improve critical thinkers and problem solvers, preparing them for the needs of the world of work. Higher education institutions can foster a supportive learning environment with an integrated mix of traditional and modern approaches to enable students to cope well with globalization.

How can universities ensure that innovation ecosystems are inclusive and accessible to a diverse range of students and faculty members?

In order to develop an inclusive and safe environment for innovation in the universities, various measures need to be taken so that people from different social backgrounds can feel included and have equal chances to participate and contribute. Leaders representing varying views may be able to understand the issues and challenges facing marginalized persons. Such leadership is applicable to incubators, accelerators, research centers, and any other innovation-oriented entities. Ensure equal access to resources such as funds, lab space, mentorship, and networking opportunities. Ensure open communication channels where everyone feels free to express their thoughts, especially from different backgrounds. Supportive relationships can be built through networking events and informal mentorship opportunities. Highlight and appreciate the innovations of people from minority groups. Success stories are always a great inspiration and one of the ways to build an inclusive culture within an organization.

What are some potential obstacles or roadblocks to establishing a successful innovation ecosystem in higher education, and how can we overcome them?

A common type of resistance is resistance from faculty, staff, or administrators who might be reluctant to change or see innovation initiatives as threatening conventional academic approaches. This problem may be mitigated by emphasizing the benefits, offering training and support, and integrating stakeholders into the decision-making. Secondly, there is the absence of an entrepreneurial culture among faculty and students that could have supported the development of a culture of innovation. Eradication of the absence of the entrepreneurial mindset can be achieved through programs that develop entrepreneurship, train about innovation and business, and provide examples of successful examples. Create a culture that allows for trial and error and rewards people who take risks. The greatest concern is IP rights and concerns, which may affect collaboration and technology transfer. These issues can be addressed through the institution of specific rules and regulatory procedures for IP ownership and technology transfer.

In your opinion, what is the most exciting recent development or innovation in higher education, and how could it be further integrated into the educational ecosystem?

Artificial intelligence and machine learning were increasingly integrated with education, which was one notable trend. AI could revolutionize aspects of higher education such as personalized learning, adaptive assessment and bureaucratic administrative processes. It’s possible that AI-driven technology can assist in analyzing data in large quantities to improve student results, pinpoint where there should be a change in teaching methods, and give more specialized and cost-effective aid to learners. The third interesting development was the introduction of online and hybrid learning models. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed higher education institutions to explore different ways of disseminating content while also engaging learners remotely. Additional integration of these models can include fine-tuning of pedagogy for online courses, provision of virtual collaboration tools, and equal technology access for every student.