| |9 June 2019HIGHERReviewINDIAN EDUCATION SYSTEM: WHAT IS LACKING?Dr. Djuwari, Head of Research Journal DivisionUnless students are encouraged to be "free-thinkers", the journey to greater discoveries shall stay incompletesearch within universities can prepare globe and job ready India professionals. Q. In your opinion, apart from covering the usual syl-labus, what should be the focus of any institution to place their students in a good position?I think it is imperative now for educational institutes to foster a fitting ecosystem for students to study things beyond their prescribed syllabus. A multi-disciplinary approach to education should be practiced allowing stu-dents with room to think and delve into subject areas of their interest. It is important for an engineer to appreci-ate art and equally important for an artist to understand the science behind aesthetics and art. Unless students are encouraged to be "free-thinkers", the journey to greater discoveries shall stay incomplete.Q. Do you believe that fresher graduates should run for the big names in the industry? What is your advice on the same?In my opinion, working in a smaller set-up or beginning with a corporate- both got its sets of pros and cons. While a Fortune 500 is a great launch pad for a fresher, you wouldn't get to learn as much as a start-up ecosystem will teach you. Smaller companies have certain limitations and challenges which actually forge great leaders out of individuals. A blue chip company enables you to network better. While working at a start-up is about being flexible with your job roles, being open to ideas and experimen-tations, bigger organizations mostly have strict regimes that got to be followed. Therefore, my suggestion is- look at the job role. See if it excites you. Have a vision. Pick up a job that helps you to make meaningfully contribute to the society and world at large. Unless you derive joy from what you do, you would not really like it ten years from now. Q. With various technological innovations, the learning pattern has been changing drastically over the years. Considering this, do you think distance learning is a good choice for students today? How would you rate it against a regular course?With major breakthroughs in technologies, the learning pattern has drastically changed over time. EdX and cloud learning avenues have changed the ball game of classroom learning, forever. However, nothing can ever replace the role of a teacher or a guru. There is no alternative to class-room brainstorming sessions between faculty and peers. Q. As you have been in the higher education sector for a long time, what are the predictable changes in the higher education sector that you are expecting in the near future? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is going to be the next game-changing industry and educational institutes must prepare students to champion AI eventually.
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