Indian demography is characterized by significantly high proportion of youth. Whether this demographic advantage would be translated into a powerful engine of growth or be a major drag on our development is largely dependent on empowerment of our youth through quality higher education. Such an education should be holistic incorporating teaching at the frontiers of knowledge, research that expands those frontiers, translation of knowledge to cutting edge technology through nurturing of a conducive innovation ecosystem and application of technology to understand and solve problems before the society and industry. Besides, a holistic learning environment should enable acquisition of relevant skills and develop sensitivity to surrounding environment comprising of human beings, life and nature.

In the present day knowledge driven, highly competitive, interconnected world, this is even more important. Technological progress is taking place at an accelerated pace and is impacting our lives in a far greater measure than ever before. The emerging A3 (anyone, anywhere and anytime) connected society is fast taking shape. Our education system must prepare our youth to be capable of effectively engaging themselves with this new emerging opportunity in an all inclusive manner.

We thus have a triple challenge of making our education a student centric, holistic high quality environment; all inclusive that can bridge the divides of various kinds including the digital divide; and be in tune with the needs of the new emerging paradigm.

The lecture attempts to discuss some of these aspects.

Organised by Ahmedabad Management Association
October 27, 2012