| |9 November 2019HIGHERReviewPrepares for the future: Technology is all pervasive in the workplace today ­ whether taking the startup route or the corporate one. Being comfortable with technology makes the transition into work-life easier. Irrespective of the career students choose, it prepares them to tackle chal-lenges of the future.Shattering boundariesEducational technologies are breaking geographical bound-aries and making distance learning a new normal. More, universities today are providing online distance learn-ing courses/ MOOCs to tap students across the globe. Online courses provide the flexibility and access these individuals need. Technology is helping build virtual classrooms on a glob-al stage. Audio conferencing, video conferencing, webinars and other collaborative softwares ensure seamless transfer of information, as well as two-way interactive communica-tion, simulating a real-life classroom. Imagine a scenario where a student in a small town of Zuluk in Sikkim, India is attending a post graduate course at the prestigious Princeton University. All he needs is a robust internet connection and a video conferencing soft-ware recommended by the university. He logs in at the correct time and attends the virtual class. A Q&A session later helps clarify his queries. He can submit his papers on a collaboration platform, as well as sit for a test or written exam. EdTech has truly opened doors of education to stu-dents across the globe.Evening the playground Education technologies are proving to be game-changers in increasing literacy rate of nations such as India. Tech-nology is helping bring education to underprivileged stu-dents ­ whether it is basic or higher education. Technology is bringing access to smaller villages and towns and playing a key role in education inclusion. Where faculty and infrastructure is a challenge, pod-casts, mini video lessons, basic learning solutions are help-ing educate children. In fact, there are many burgeoning EdTech startups that are working towards solving the problem of illiteracy. In closingWe have only just started to scratch the surface of what technology can do to revolutionize learning. It is slowly and steadily overhauling teaching processes stuck in time. The schools of tomorrow will have to adapt and change in re-al-time to stay relevant and provide a competitive edge to their students. Technology is not just an enabler, it is the driving force for a transformative India. Technology is helping shape students to not only academically excel but also become well-rounded individuals and citizens of the global worldRuchir did his Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in 2001 and went to Indian School of Business for PGP in Information Technology and Finance. After his B.Tech, he worked for CSC for one year and then went for his PGP. After that, he worked with TechMahindra as a Manager. He also led Sales Operations for Shine.com, India's premier job portal, managing 200+ sales executives across 10 locations. Ruchir founded HTCampus.com in 2010 targeting the education advertising and admissions services market. Education advertising, with an estimated market size of Rs 2500 cr is one of the largest classifieds markets in India.Ruchir Arora, Co-Founder and CEO
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