A mechanical engineer with 23 years of teaching experience, Dr. Anil Dattatraya Sahasrabudhe, joined as the Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education in July 2015.
During the keynote address at the 8th Indian Education Congress, Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe underlined the challenges that the higher education sector is beset with.
Dr. Anil Sahasrabudhe said, “Our immediate concern is on innovative abilities in the area of technology development and undertaking entrepreneurship as one of the core subjects in the Education system.”
While talking with educationbiz, Dr. Sahasrabudhe said, “I think innovation is required in the education system, as well as in educating students for innovation. This can only happen when we transform our regular routine of working.”
Purpose of Education
Finding the real purpose of providing education in our economy and integrating the educational system with our student’s outcomes and employer's needs, Dr. Sahasrabudhe stated that, “The curriculum has to be designed in such a manner that there is an innovative spirit, embedded into it,”.
The students should be taught to critically analyze questions and answer accordingly rather than Rote Learning. There should also be practical exposure in terms of how the industry is performing, what is happening in the society all around, which is why issues, like visiting villages, adopting them and finding out innovative solutions, should be added in their curriculum.
Seeding Entrepreneurship in Students
Dr. Sahasrabushe added, “Unless we have courses like Entrepreneurship in our education system, our students will not be prepared for becoming future entrepreneurs.”
Consequences of Disruption
When asked about the consequences of disruption and what it has to do with the mindset of students, Dr. Sahasrabudhe said, “The disruption here, we are talking about is the complete transformation in a way things are happening around us. With the change in time, today, almost every child has an access to the Internet and can learn things in their own way.”
He further added, “The bigger question is about the right interpretation being given to students in the classrooms. So, disruption is all set to embark with flying colors through new platforms that are coming worldwide.”
Ideas to Transform Learning and Teaching Ways
For excellent learning outcomes, there have to be certain programs that need to be supplemented in the curriculum. Adding to it, Dr. Anil said,” I have come up with 3-course ideas which when applied will transform the way students learn and educators teach.
i. Let us start by inculcating Curriculum Revision amongst students, and how it is done.
ii. Teacher Education module, where students will be encouraged to device their own curricula. Teaching and Learning should be enjoyable.
iii. We can help students learn in their own way.”
He concluded saying that, “Taking all of this way forward, we can make Higher Education in India a World-Class Education system.”
