What are the challenges ailing the higher education institutions (HEIs) in India? Also, suggest ways to transform Indian institutions into global learning centres.

Despite making a name for themselves at the global stage (IITs, IIMs, IISc), Higher education institutions in India are yet to become global learning centres. CHALLENGES AILING INDIAN HEIs: 1. Multi-disciplinary approach missing (E.g. Nascent humanities department in IITe) 2. Lack of emphasis on Research & development by public and private sector both (Only 0.69% of GDP spent) 3. Mushrooming of engineering college → quality of education compromised 4. College functioning as degree shops. 5. Commercialization of Higher Education → affordability an issue. 6. Brain-Drain, Foreign universities attract India's best talents. 7. Lack of Industry-Academia linkage. 8. Obsolete, out-dated curriculum.

WAYS TO TRANSFORM HEIs: 1. As mentioned in NEP 2020, imposing cooperation with foreign universities. 2. Updating the curriculum as per industry requirements. 3. Addressing equity issues: Affordability, Gender divide/Caste divide, Linguistic divide (Courses in regional language (NEP 2020)) 4. Improving infrastructure (Outdated labs in IITe) 5. Granting autonomy to institutions (Harvard Model - only alumni on Board of Directors). 6. Addressing changing dynamics of tech world (Animation, Gaming, Graphics Designing)

5. Addressing equity issues: Affordability, Gender divide/Caste divide, Linguistic divide (Courses in regional language (NEP 2020)) 6. Improving infrastructure (Outdated labs in IITe) 7. Granting autonomy to institutions (Harvard Model - only alumni on Board of Directors). 8. Addressing changing dynamics of tech world (Animation, Gaming, Graphics Designing) The Institute of Eminence IDE project and NEP 2020 are steps in the right direction to return to the glorious days of Nalanda, Taxila.

— MUDIT FOUJDAR · AIR 353