Panel Discussion on How to get “There” from “Here”– A Colloquium on Education

FICCI FLO organized a colloquium on higher education on Saturday, November 15, 2014. The prime focus of this forum was to provide fresh insights about deep-rooted challenges faced by the Indian education system.

The panelists were -Prof. Ved Prakash, UGC Chairperson;Ms Madhu Trehan- Author, Investigative Journalist, Entrepreneur, Founding Editor of India Today; Prof. Jonathan Gill Harris, Dean of Academic Affairs & Professor of English at Ashoka University and Ms. Niharika Sondhi, Education Consultant.

The key objective of this colloquium was to provide a platform for voices of global and national experts so that workable solutions can be implemented to make education a meaningful, impactful, and professionally viable experience for the current and future generations of India.

In her welcome address, FLO President Neeta Boochra said, “FLO’s focus for the year is ‘Educate & Empower’. We firmly believe that education is fundamental to the all-round development of any individual. It is the foundation of any field that we choose in life. It is infact, the key to holistic empowerment.”

She further added “Attending this session will open your mind to a cornucopia of options and opportunities that will help you make an informed choice of college education and give you a synopsis of what is the best fit for a better future of the next millennial.”.

Key Takeaways:

• Need to prepare today for a better tomorrow
• Setting realistic goals to reach THERE from HERE
• Need to reform and revolutionize the whole aim and method of our Indian education system
• Education system to focus not only on gaining departmentalised knowledge but on growth of skills and attitude to make strong contribution to the socio-economic growth of the nation
• Education in the right sense, not just being schooled or instructed
• Learning beyond the classroom and developing skills that prepare you for the industry.
• Produce more global , skilled and informed group of students
• An effective pedagogy based on strong ethics and integrity that will build global citizens and not machines
• Prepare the future generation to tackle the challenges arising in the professional world in a humanistic manner.

Niharika Sondhi, Director – Ednet Consultants Pvt. Ltd and FLO Member hosted the programme.

Archana Garodia Gupta, Sr. vice President FLO gave the vote of thanks.

Indian Education scenario: Some current statistics

• Literacy rate in India – 72%
• 7,48,000 primary schools
• 4,47,000 upper primary schools
• 2,59,000 Secondary & Senior secondary schools
• 700 Universities
• 38000 colleges