Universities of India

Universities of  India : A Knowledge Conclave

6th University-Industry Council India the Knowledge Hub of 21st Century 21-22 May 2010: Eagleton Resorts, Bangalore.

“600 million population of educatable age need to be educated, this is a challenge and an opportunity. If we fail them we shall be inflicting the worst possible curse on them and our nation.” Mr Arun Bharat Ram, Past President, CII,   Chairman, CII Education Council & Chairman, SRF Limited

The Bangalore based Mindlogicx Infotech Ltd, an R & D based Technology Company, in association with CII & AIU (Association of Indian Universities) today launched Universities of India 2010, an Innovative platform to improve education system in India. The two day, knowledge conclave with the congregation of intellectuals who can shape the future of emerging India as Knowledge Super Power by 2020. Mr. Arun Bharat Ram, Past President CII, Chairman CII Education Council & Chairman SRF Ltd, inaugurated the event & launched the official website www.universitiesofindia.org.

Over 75 Vice Chancellors and Directors have gathered at Eagleton Resorts and will be deliberating along with industry representations the way forward to transform India to be the Knowledge Hub of the 21st Century.

In 2007 CII formed the University-Industry Council taking the initiative to provide a platform for Indian Industry and Universities to interact, share knowledge and catalyze several joint activities either collectively or bilaterally. The University – Industry Council has representation from CII, the heads of all Universities- Central, State, Regular and Open; senior members from Industry; eminent educationists; education bodies like UGC, AICTE etc.

In 2009 Mindlogicx Infotech Ltd. started the Universities of India – A knowledge Conclave with much the same aim. This year CII and Mindlogicx have joined forces to attain this objective. The aim of the Conclave is to facilitate a fruitful synergy between the Universities and the Industry, which is absolutely essential for building and strengthening the human capital of India. In the sylvan environment of Eagleton Resorts, Vice Chancellors, Senior Professors and Industry Captains and stakeholders from the Government would brainstorm the way forward.

Launching the Universities of India: A Knowledge Conclave, 6th University-Industry Council: India the Knowledge Hub of 21st Century, Mr Arun Bharat Ram Past President, CII, Chairman, CII Education Council & Chairman, SRF Limited said that “our Education Institutes must be agile and be able to adapt to the changing environment, update curriculum, be in the forefront of research and knowledge creation and ensure that the students are job ready”. Unfortunately this has not been the case in most educational institutes and this is one part of the eco system that needs to be addressed at war footing.

21st Century is India’s Century.  In knowledge based society, education is the driving force that fuels the economy. Education empowers the masses catalyzes research and creates Intellectual Property (IP). As societies evolve the economic activities change gear from the primary to secondary to further move to tertiary; and finally to knowledge – the largest revenue generator is the trade in knowledge. India with its young population, the largest in the world, at over 600 million, has to reap the demographic dividend. India will be the power house not only for supply of talent and skills to the rest of the world, but also for research, innovation and sale of IP. The new cities that will come up must have smart transport, sustainable energy, environment friendly systems and processes. To achieve this reality our education sector has to galvanize itself and lay this foundation.   Universities and Industry have to brain storm the way ahead, share notes and chart out the future course.  The process of brain storming was kick started by Mr Arun Bharat Ram. Others who graced the occasion and spoke included Dr. S S Mantha, Chairman (Acting) AICTE; Mr Vinay L Deshpande, Past Chairman, CII Karnataka  State Council & Chairman and CEO Encore Software Ltd; Prof. Y S Rajan, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished Professor Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),   Mr. Suresh Elangovan    Managing Director  CEO &  Mindlogicx Infotech Ltd     and Mr S Chandrasekhar, Vice Chairman, CII Karnataka State Council and Managing  Director Bhoruka Power Corporation Ltd.

Drawing a parallel between the spectrum auction which recently netted the Government Rs 67000 thousand crores and knowledge, he pointed out that knowledge has wealth hidden in it, it only has to be recognized. Mr Arun Bharat Ram pointed out that ‘CII theme for the coming year is Business for Livelihood. This theme essentially spells out the realities of the times. To achieve this objective the essential tools are Education, Employability, Innovation and Entrepreneurship.  The importance of education can never be underscored to achieve the other two’.

CII has already conducted five editions of the University Industry Symposia as annual events in partnership with Association of Indian Universities (AIU). The outcome of the 5th University Industry Council was the CII – Nagaland University Business Development Centre, which was formally announced at this forum.

Prof Mantha pointed out that the 40 to 50% faculty shortage was a matter of concern and that syllabi need to be enhanced to develop multiple skills and value based education. He summed it up as ‘we need our own model’. Mr Vinay L Deshpande urged ‘Universities and colleges from moving from aiming at 100% placement to creating 100% thinking minds, which will automatically lead to 100% employment.’ Mr Suresh Elangovan concluded that he dreams of the day when Americans will be lining up outside the Indian Embassy at four ‘o clock in the morning to get a visa to come and study in an Indian University