Recap
Have you ever wondered what it takes for someone to envision opening their own university and how they go about achieving it? Today, we are joined by Mr. Milind Pande, the Pro-Vice Chancellor of MIT World Peace University, Pune. He will share some insightful perspectives on the inner workings of a college.
Introduction
Every year, around 1.5 million people graduate as engineers, yet only a small percentage secure relevant job. What are Mr. Milind's thoughts on this issue?
Mr. Milind’s Opinion about Major Unemployment in India and its Reasons
Mr. Milind believes that the gap between education and employment stems from a lack of focus on entrepreneurship and skill development. The current system isn't effectively preparing students for the job market, leading to widespread unemployment despite a large number of graduates.
Types of Students Taking Admission in Colleges (CDEF)
According to Mr. Milind, students entering colleges can be categorized into four types:
- C for Campus Recruitments: 82% of students fall into this category, focusing on securing jobs through campus placements.
- D for Degree Building: These students pursue higher education to advance their academic credentials.
- E for Entrepreneurship: Although India's startup culture is growing, the ratio of startups to the population remains low.
- F for Freelancers: About 6% of students enter college without a clear direction for their careers.
Relationship between Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
Mr. Milind emphasizes that entrepreneurship and skill development must go hand in hand. Unfortunately, there is limited awareness and focus on this relationship within the education system, which hinders students from pursuing entrepreneurial ventures.
The 3 S’s Required
To uplift Indian education, Mr. Milind advocates for focusing on three key elements: Skill, Scale, and Speed.
- Skill: Students must develop industry-relevant skills that align with market demands.
- Scale: Education should be scalable to reach a larger audience.
- Speed: The pace of learning and implementation needs to be quick to keep up with technological advancements.
MOOCs
Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) offer a new way of learning, providing accessible and affordable education. India’s platform, Swayamprabha, offers over 10,000 courses. MOOCs won't negatively impact traditional education since companies still value certificates of completion.
ATL, AIC, and AIM
To bridge the gap between education and real-life application, Mr. Milind highlights three initiatives:
- ATL (Atal Tinkering Labs): Encourages school students to solve real-world problems.
- AIC (Atal Incubation Centers): Supports young innovators in bringing their ideas to market.
- AIM (Atal Innovation Mission): A nationwide effort to promote innovation and entrepreneurship.
Do Colleges Need to Teach Students How to Get Jobs?
Mr. Milind believes that colleges should focus on making students job creators rather than job seekers. Events like hackathons allow students to solve real-world problems using technology, fostering creativity and innovation.
ABCD AR/AI
In today's world, students must master cutting-edge technologies, categorized as ABCD AR/AI:
- A for Artificial Intelligence
- B for Blockchain
- C for Cloud Computing
- D for Data Science
- AR for Augmented Reality another emerging technology, with applications in industries like automotive (e.g., Tata Motors using AR glasses for training) and medicine.
- AI for Artificial Intelligence
MOOCs like EdX, Coursera, and NPTEL provide free access to courses on these technologies.
The Attendance Situation in Colleges
Mr. Milind discusses the 75% attendance criteria in colleges, explaining that it's essential for students to make full use of the college ecosystem. Learning extends beyond the classroom, and interacting with peers and participating in events are vital for personal and professional growth.
Working in Villages and Rural Areas
Drawing from his experience working with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on the PURA (Providing Urban Amenities to Rural Areas) initiative, Mr. Milind highlights the importance of using villages as labs for students to learn and solve real-world problems outside the classroom.
The Pros of Participating in Events
Mr. Milind believes that events play a crucial role in developing students' personalities. They enhance team spirit, confidence, and morale, which are vital for success in both personal and professional life. Relationships built during college also have a significant impact on one's future.
Is Social Media Harming Students’ Lives?
Mr. Milind acknowledges that social media can be harmful, citing an example of a Google executive who practices a no-mobile zone from 9 PM to 7 AM to focus on loved ones. However, he believes the negative effects can be mitigated by using technology more effectively.
How to Use Mobile Technology in Effective Education?
To reduce screen time, Mr. Milind suggests integrating mobile technology into education, such as submitting assignments and projects through mobile devices. While it’s challenging, it’s possible to use mobile technology effectively in education.
Mr. Milind’s Vision for MIT WPU in the Coming Years
Looking ahead, Mr. Milind, along with MIT WPU founder Mr. Vishwanath Karad, envisions MIT WPU as a research university producing peace ambassadors and successful startups. They also hope for a Nobel laureate to emerge from MIT WPU someday.
Conclusion (with Shayari)
Mr. Milind concludes with wise words: "Never use shortcuts to success. If you seek happiness in success, you may not find it. But if you pursue success with happiness, you will achieve both."
Outro
To learn more, watch the full video on our channel. Also, check out the book Stand Out from the Crowd by our CEO, Aryan Gupta, available on both Amazon and Flipkart.
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