Decoding the Dynamics of Indian Higher Education System

Excerpts from an interaction with Saurabh Jain, Co-Founder, CollegeDekho. Saurabh graduated from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology Nagpur in 2001. He has worked with global giants like Cognizant and Volkswagen, helping set up and manage large operations for them.   

What college students study and what is really expected of them to know in order to be job-ready are clearly at odds with one another. How do you perceive this divide in relation to the Indian higher education system as it is today?

The divide between what college students study and what is expected of them to be job-ready is particularly relevant in the Indian higher education system. According to a report by a talent assessment firm (Aspiring Minds), only 4.77% of Indian engineering graduates are considered employable by top IT companies, and only 3.84% of graduates from other streams have the skills required for entry-level jobs.

One reason for this divide is that traditionally the Indian higher education system has placed a greater emphasis on theoretical knowledge and academic achievement, rather than on practical skills and hands-on experience. The curriculum was often outdated and disconnected from industry needs, and there was a lack of opportunities for students to gain practical experience through internships and apprenticeships. This is beginning to change quite rapidly and you would see the impact. 

Another factor contributing to the divide is the mismatch between the skills that are in demand and the skills that are being taught. According to a report by the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC), the Indian job market is currently facing a shortage of skilled workers in areas such as information technology, healthcare, hospitality, and retail, while there is a surplus of graduates in fields such as engineering and management.

Knowledge acquisition has historically been connected to a university degree and is still important today. Do you believe that employers should only consider candidates who have graduated from college? What do you think about the potential change in strategy?

The importance of a university degree for knowledge acquisition and career advancement is still significant today, and it is understandable that many employers require or prefer candidates who have completed a college education. However, I do not believe that a college degree should be the only consideration when evaluating candidates for job opportunities. There are many talented and knowledgeable individuals who may not have had the opportunity or resources to pursue a college education, but still possess the necessary skills, experience, and expertise for a particular job.

There is a significant gap between the demand for skilled workers and the availability of workers with the required skills. In such a scenario, employers may need to look beyond college degrees and consider candidates who have acquired skills through alternative means such as apprenticeships, vocational programs, and online courses.

Of course, this is not to say that college degrees are no longer important or relevant. For certain fields, such as medicine, law, or engineering, a college degree is often a requirement due to the specialized knowledge and training involved.

The value of work that cannot be completed by robots is increasing as new technologies like AI are implemented. What do you think about the growing significance of soft skills?

As new technologies like AI and robotics continue to advance, the value of work that requires soft skills is increasing. In India, the demand for workers with strong soft skills is on the rise. AI is expected to transform many industries in India, with an estimated 69% of jobs in India's manufacturing sector at risk of being automated. However, certain jobs that require strong soft skills, such as those in healthcare, education, and social services, are less likely to be automated. As a result, the value of soft skills in these sectors is expected to increase.

According to a report by LinkedIn, soft skills such as creativity, persuasion, and collaboration are among the top skills that employers are looking for in India. The report also states that the demand for soft skills is growing faster than the demand for hard skills.

Soft skills such as emotional intelligence (EI) are particularly important in the Indian context, where social and cultural factors play a significant role in the workplace. A study by the Harvard Business Review found that leaders with high levels of EI were more effective in managing culturally diverse teams in India.

Every instructional technology that is used must be evaluated using at least a few different criteria. What is the ideal instructional style to employ for student training if any digital technology is utilized to enhance the learning process?

The ideal instructional style to employ for student training depends on a variety of factors, including the subject matter being taught, the learning goals and objectives, and the preferences and learning styles of the students.

A study by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in India found that student-centred learning, which emphasizes the student's active involvement in the learning process, leads to better learning outcomes. Digital technology can aid collaboration among students, which can enhance learning outcomes by fostering communication, teamwork, and critical thinking skills. A study by the British Council in India found that digital technology can be used to promote collaborative learning and enhance the development of 21st-century skills such as creativity and innovation.

It also provides opportunities for active learning, which involves students in the learning process through activities such as problem-solving, group work, and discussion. A study found that active learning in online courses led to better learning outcomes than traditional lecture-based instruction.

Digital technology can be used to personalize the learning experience for students by providing adaptive learning pathways that cater to each student's individual needs and preferences.

What do you think the prospects are for hiring talent? What will its future look like? What advice would you give to teachers and students?

I feel that the prospects for hiring talent are evolving rapidly as the world of work continues to change. With the rise of automation and artificial intelligence, the skills and competencies that are most in demand are shifting, along with the disruption of traditional models of hiring and career development.

In the future, I believe that hiring talent will be increasingly focused on identifying individuals with the skills and qualities that are most difficult to automate, such as creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. This means that teachers and students should focus on developing these ‘human skills’ alongside technical expertise and domain knowledge.

To prepare for the future of hiring talent, teachers can incorporate more project-based and experiential learning opportunities into their curricula, which can help students develop practical skills and real-world experience. Teachers can also leverage digital technologies and online resources to provide students with access to a wider range of learning materials and tools.

For students, my advice is to focus on developing a diverse set of skills and competencies, rather than just focusing on technical expertise in one particular area. This means cultivating creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and adaptability, as well as staying up-to-date with the latest trends and developments in their field.