Daily News Analysis

Reimagining the role of state universities in science education

stylish_lining

 

 

Why in the News?                           

On the backdrop of third-anniversary of the National Education Policy  (NEP) 2020 with laudable efforts in advancing skill-based education and practical learning, the science education and training at State-affiliated colleges and universities has been subpar.

Higher Education in India:

Current status of Higher education in India:

  1. India produces over 25 lakh graduates in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) every year, accounting for the largest number of students obtaining bachelor-equivalent science degrees worldwide.
  2. The no. of science graduates at the master’s level drops to 2.9 lakh (25% of BSc graduates), and even further at the doctoral level, with only 6,000 science PhDs awarded each year.
  3. majority of bachelors-level science graduates in India graduate from State-affiliated colleges and universities, either via three-year BSc courses or integrated BSc-MSc programmes (4-5 years).
  4. 422 out of 1,113 universities in India are public universities managed by State governments in which science courses host the 2nd highest no. of students enrolments after arts.

Issues with the science education and training at State-affiliated colleges and universities:

  1. Largely outdated Curricula and course content in BSc and other integrated programs with syllabi not addressing the skillset and Knowledge of contemporary technologies.
  2. The courses offer insufficient practical training and inadequate, poorly-maintained laboratory facilities.
  3. Programmes encourage students to undertake external internships, but they can hardly substitute the rigorous curricular and practical training in laboratories.

Problems faced by the State-affiliated colleges and universities:

Lack of Autonomy in syllabus design, admission norms and exams

Problems faced by State-affiliated C0lleges & Universities

Insufficient Funding due to R&D neglect

Lack of continued upskilling training of teachers

Systematic Administrative problems

       
   
     
 

What needs to be done?

  1. Skill-based education with State-affiliated universities and colleges re-envisioned as hubs for skill-based science education.
  2. teaching, training, and research in the universities should align with employability in the scientific sector.
  3. BSc or integrated course curricula could focus on industry-relevant skills and certifications- programming, data analysis techniques, instrumentation and facility expertise, quality assurance, and benchmarking.
  4. Longstanding collaborations with industry-Academia via seminars, apprenticeships, interactions with expert faculty members, job fairs, and funding support.
  5. advancing education in regional communities, while building workforce-ready graduates – the community college and technical university models in the U.S. and Europe can be replicated in India also.

Source URL: Reimagining the role of state universities in science education

India's Criminal Justice System

The recent acquittal of the 12 men convicted in the Mumbai Train Blast Case (2006) by the Bombay High Court has reignited debate over the effectiveness and integrity of India's criminal justic
Share It

India's Aviation Safety

The preliminary report of the Air India Boeing 787 crash in Ahmedabad by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) remains inconclusive, raising troubling questions about the pilot's i
Share It

Antimicrobial Resistance

India’s steps to regulate the use of antibiotics in food animal production reflect a growing global consensus on the need to address Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The potential consequence
Share It

solar energy potential

India’s push toward leveraging its vast solar energy potential represents a critical strategy for accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions by 2070, as part of its long-term climate
Share It

submarine cables

The issue of securing submarine cables is increasingly being recognized as a sovereign imperative in today's data-driven world. Subsea cables are crucial infrastructure for global communicatio
Share It

STEM

The gender gap in STEM is a critical issue that continues to impede the full realization of India's potential in the global knowledge economy. Despite the notable strides in educational achiev
Share It

ASEAN

India's strategic engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is vital for its economic, technological, and geopolitical positioning in a rapidly changing global landsca
Share It

State Finances and Budgets in India:

State finances play a crucial role in shaping India's broader economic landscape. With India’s federal structure, states not only drive local governance priorities but also contribute si
Share It

India’s Role in the Global Medical Workforce

India has long been a key supplier of skilled medical professionals to the global market, providing healthcare workers to countries in the Global North. However, while India excels in the export o
Share It

Critical Minerals

As the 21st century is increasingly defined by technology-driven advancements, critical minerals have emerged as one of the most significant geo economic assets. India, while a global powerhouse i
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS