Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship is going to launch a digital university that will significantly reduce the cost of higher education and skills and increase access to various education and skills programs, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said in a virtual address ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit early this week.  

Digital university is a revolutionary concept that has the potential to revolutionize education in India. Being an online platform, it will provide access to high-quality educational resources and courses from leading universities, colleges and institutions. It will allow students to learn from the best, no matter where they are located. With its innovative technology, it will offer students a unique opportunity to gain knowledge and skills that will help them succeed in their chosen field of study. It is also going to provides access to resources such as webinars, podcasts and other digital content which can be accessed anytime, anywhere. Let us look at its major benefits that will revolutionize education in India.

Increasing the Gross Enrolment Rate

By providing access to quality education at an affordable cost, digital university will increase the gross enrollment rate (GER) in higher education. It will also provide a way for people from rural and remote areas to gain access to higher education without having to travel long distances. It will make use of online learning platforms and technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). This will allow students to get an immersive learning experience with interactive content that is tailored to their needs. Furthermore, it will help reduce costs associated with physical infrastructure such as classrooms and libraries. With these advantages, digital university can become a viable alternative for many students who are unable to pursue traditional university courses due to various constraints.  

“The digital university, combined with high-speed internet connectivity, aims to double the country's GER. With the type of infrastructure we anticipate, we hope to increase the GER from 27 percent to 50 percent. This means we will have another 10 million students in the higher education system,” said K Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Higher Education.

Lowering the Access Barriers    

Digital university has the potential to make higher education accessible to students from all walks of life, regardless of their financial or geographical limitations. It will lower the access barriers and allow students to pursue higher education at their own pace and convenience. It will also provide access to quality educational content that is tailored to the individual student's needs. Digital University can be a game-changer for those who cannot afford or have limited access to traditional universities. Through it, students can learn from anywhere in the world, anytime they want and at a fraction of the cost of traditional universities. When universities get affiliated with digital university, the barriers to entry will be lowered. Universities will be able to enroll students in local programs and support local students.

Collaboration between colleges and ed-tech companies 

The introduction of digital universities in India will help bridge the gap between colleges and ed-tech companies, enabling them to collaborate on innovative projects and initiatives. Digital universities will also provide students with access to quality education at an affordable cost. The use of digital technologies such as AI, machine learning and virtual reality in education will help create an interactive learning experience for students. Ed-tech companies will leverage this platform to develop new products and services that will be used by colleges, universities and other educational institutions. By collaborating with ed-tech companies, colleges will also benefit from the latest technological advancements in the field of education.  

Considering the current trends and developments, the future of virtual education in India looks very promising. With the advancement of technology, more and more people are going to opt for digital university to pursue higher education. Digital university will provide a range of courses that can be accessed from anywhere, making it easier for people to study without having to leave their homes or jobs.

The digital university system is going to be immensely popular in India, as it will provide students with the flexibility to pursue their studies at their own pace and convenience. It will be especially beneficial for those who are unable to attend regular classes due to financial constraints or other commitments. With virtual education, students will gain access to quality educational resources from across the country without having to worry about paying hefty tuition fees.