Role played by educational institutes in furthering digital revolution: Parimal Vijay Mandke, NIIT University

One of the positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that it gave digital transformation its much needed impetus. In order to cater to the demand that the ongoing digital revolution has given rise to, organizations and businesses across sectors are seeking professionals proficient in digital skills. However, according to a recent report by Nasscom-Zinnov, India is projected to face a shortage of 14-19 lakh tech professionals by 2026. So how can educational institutes in India ensure that this situation does not arise? To answer this and more, professor Parimal Vijay Mandke, vice president, NIIT University recently spoke to Dataquest.

DQ: What are some of the changes that need to be introduced in the curriculum considering the demand for new-age technologies?

Parimal Vijay Mandke: The pandemic has significantly impacted education, particularly higher education. Students' need for short-term or tech-related courses will rise in the new age and it is important to include new skills and emerging trends in the curriculum to make students future-ready. IT, data and financial analysis, and digital marketing will witness an increase in demand, and this requires the right training and industry-linked programs for the students.  

In the digital age, there will be an increase in courses in artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, and blockchain. It is critical to stay updated with the latest trends in technology, which universities should provide in their curriculum.  Today, industry faces a huge shortage of skilled professionals. It is important to recognize this and bridge the gap by providing unique solutions such as e-learning, problem-based learning, and blended learning. These methods improve the analytical and critical thinking of the students, preparing them for a successful career ahead. 

DQ: What is the role played by educational institutes in furthering the digital revolution?

Parimal Vijay Mandke: Universities and educational institutions across the country have started adopting the online mode of learning in the past few years. Many educational institutions have adopted technology to train and prepare students for the future. Universities will include the blended learning model in the coming years to enhance the learning experience. 

The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a major initiative in offering high-quality education throughout the nation, highlighting the role of digitization and technology in the educational sector. By offering new-age courses and industry-linked programs universities will students prepare for the future. 

DQ: How can students be made recession-proof for the new future of work?

Parimal Vijay Mandke: Students need to be trained to adapt to the ever-changing world. Even though an economic recession might affect students’ choice of field, the right skills will guide them in any situation. Universities should identify the interests of the students and align those with the required skillsets. Apart from being technologically up-to-date, students also need to be trained to become job creators. Well-skilled and dynamic employees will always be in demand. Universities should train students to identify the best career options based on their skill sets. Skills like effective communication, problem-solving abilities, and leadership skills will go a long way. In the curriculum, universities should include skills in demand such as analytical reasoning, blockchain, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and so on. 

DQ: What are some of the new-age courses being offered by NIIT?

Parimal Vijay Mandke: NIIT University identifies the skill gap to design courses that will help the industry meet its talent requirement while offering challenging careers to its students. The university offers a range of new-age programs such as BTech in Data Science, BTech in Cyber Security, BTech in Computer Science & Engineering, BTech in Electronics & Communication Engineering, BTech in Biotechnology, 5-year integrated MTech programs, 3-year BBA and Integrated Masters in Business Administration.

Since its inception, the university has had a track record of 100% placements for students who have opted for the same. Students have been previously placed in over 700+ organizations like IBM, PWC, GenPact, EnY, Coca-Cola, Cognizant, Infosys, and TCS (Tata Consultancy Services), to name a few.