With formal qualifications of MSc (Bombay University), MSc Tech (BITS, Pilani) and PhD (BITS, Pilani), Prof. Parimal’s experience spans over 35 years. As Chief, Higher Education, NIIT, Prof. Parimal contributed to the design of innovative GNIIT/ANIIT/FNIIT programs and industry-linked Professional Practice. She developed educational alliances with over a dozen Indian and international universities. Since 2002, she has been involved in the establishment of the NIIT University. Prof. Parimal has presented papers and co-authored four books in the areas of R&D Management, S&T and Education. In a conversation with Higher Education Digest, Prof. Parimal talks about predictable changes in the higher education sector after COVID-19, the NIIT -model that other colleges in the country can follow, and much more.
India’s education landscape has undergone a tectonic shift with the impact of the pandemic and the devastating second wave that hit closer to home previous year. India embraced a new era of remote learning with notable speed and passion as schools and universities across the country were suddenly devoid of the normal student conversation and in-person classroom lectures. Curriculums were changed almost overnight, teachers were retrained, and students adjusted to the “new normal.” Due to the changing nature of the employment sector, colleges and universities must reconsider their value offer by recognizing the skill sets that top firms demand in employees, such as knowledge of future-oriented courses like computer science, data science, and cybersecurity, among others.
It’s essential that students master these skills and include digital literacy—the capacity to find, evaluate, create, and convey knowledge using information and communication technologies—into their courses. They must exhibit their ability in ways that will help them compete in the workforce once they graduate from high school. At NU, we use technology in our teaching learning practices and curriculum to guarantee that our students are future-ready and have the skills they need. In fact, NUgget was designed by NU and NIIT Ltd. to provide a platform that would allow the teaching / learning process to be as successful as traditional classroom teaching, with a rich set of features to streamline the learning approach. Below are a few skill sets that will experience even more growth in the future.
Cloud Computing: This industry has grown significantly in recent years and is expected to continue to grow as more business models migrate to cloud technology. According to a recent survey, 17 percent of businesses plan to use cloud computing by 2025. With the significant expansion in the adoption of cloud technology within the business structure, cloud computing professionals will be in high demand.
Artificial Intelligence: In the past few years, there was a significant increase in demand for AI practitioners, which is expected to continue in the coming years. Furthermore, an AI specialist is on LinkedIn’s India’s Job on the Rise 2021 list. AI, in fact, provides some of the highest-paying occupations, such as Machine Learning Engineer. It is already well-known for revamping navigation apps, customer service, and much more, and it remains one of the biggest tech trends because of its impact on our personal and professional lives. It goes without saying that a job in AI is future-proof and offers several prospects for advancement.
Data engineering: With the rapid growth of technology, data engineering is emerging as a potential field that is increasingly relevant in our AI-driven world. A future career in this industry could be gratifying, as you’ll be assisting data scientists by making data more accessible.
Blockchain: The blockchain industry has seen demand from a variety of industries, including banking, insurance, and logistics. In India, it is still in its early stages, but it has enormous potential as more enterprises are using technology. As a result, it will continue to be a valuable skill in 2022. Several business models have begun to use blockchain algorithms, and as their use grows, so does the demand for blockchain experts. If you’re seeking for a career that can take you into the future, now is the time to start.
Numerous organizations are devoting more resources to finding and developing qualified candidates with advanced technical skills. Employees who are willing to develop their technical skills, on the other hand, will have an advantage in securing the most in-demand roles in IT. Technology is constantly changing and evolving, so anyone who can adapt and grow with it will have a bright future. Most of these skills are still in their infancy, so now is the time to pick one and become an expert in it if you want to have a rewarding career. Since its start, NIIT University has placed a heavy emphasis on learning technology. Provided by digital platforms like Nugget, students may get an excellent education even if they are isolated at home.
Colleges and schools must take the necessary steps to help students stand out in a competitive job market by teaching them essential skills and how to present their credentials. With the value of college education under scrutiny, it’s more critical than ever for teachers and administration to embrace technology and adapt their curricula to ensure that digital literacy skills are incorporated across disciplines.
The education sector is at an inflection point and 2022 will witness accelerated adoption of edtech solutions, as it forces us to question traditional methods, pedagogies, and mindsets. The pandemic and current hybrid model have already set the wheels in motion. The seamless integration of these solutions within the existing print and classroom teaching methods will determine its future success in the Indian context.