Chandigarh : Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal, (Chandigarh branch ) orgnised a national seminar on Global Challenges and Contemporary Education in association with Evening Studies Multi Disciplinary Research Centre Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Dr Bhagwati Parkash Sharma, Vice Chancellor, Pacific University, Udaipur, Rajasthan was the key speaker and the event was presided over by Dr Pawan Kumar Singla, State Information Commissioner, Punjab and the guest of honour was Prof Vinay Kapoor, State Information Commissioner, Punjab.
Dr Sharma deliberated on Indian education system in India. “We are the third largest education network in the world. In science and discovery we have been surpassing all countries. However, we still have a long way to go,” he said that the Indian education system faces three main challenges – the education system is highly disjunct from ethics and national heritage in terms that our knowledge is not properly accounted and credited for. “ Chanakya gave one of best definitions of economics but is not so widely cited. ”, he pointed out. Other challenges addressed were – – quality and innovativeness and human value system. Dr Sharma said that if we build a culture and pedagogy where both the traits are inculcated through practice , case study and role plays, we are sure to progress.
Talking about the school education, Dr Sharma, opined that rather than having a rule which says that no student should be failed untill class eight, endeavor should be made to provide special assistance to those who are not so well versed with the subjects at all levels. This will ensure a more progressive young population. “by 2020, India will have a high demographic dividend i.e more than 60 per cent of the population will fall in the working class. And if we want to reep it’s benefit the youth needs to be equipped with the best skill set.”
Speaking about areas that we need to speed up innovation for right at education level, he said, if we work on artificial intelligence and electric vehicles among other made in India products and technology, we will soon be world leaders.
Amongst others who opined at the seminar were Prof Sanjay Kaushik of University Business School, Prof Anju Singla of Punjab Engineering College and Prof Gurpal Singh Sandhu of Department of Evening Studies.