Experts at the CII event on education favoured de-regulation of the sector and increased investments to take advantage of large potentially workable pool.
At a meeting hosted by CII Andhra Pradesh, in association with Government of Andhra Pradesh, on Industry – Institute Connect focusing on Taking Higher Education to the Next Orbit – Making Andhra Pradesh A Global Education Hub, several speakers expressed the need to increase investments into the sector.
Shakti Sagar, Past Chairman, CII Andhra Pradesh and Managing Director, ADP India, said Indian education system is highly regulated, which is hindering its growth.
“There is a need for convergence of stakeholders to ensure the demographic dividend and de-regularisation of the education system,” he said.
Referring to a survey of 1st class graduates from 194 engineering colleges across the country, he pointed out that barely 12 per cent were employable.
He felt there is a disconnect between the industry and what students learn.
“Today changes happen by the hour. Unless we learn and adapt, we will miss the bus,” he said.
opportunities
Talking about the opportunities in the next decade, Sagar pointed out that around 25 per cent of the world’s new workers will come from India.
V. Rajanna, Vice-President and Regional Head, Tata Consultancy Services, Hyderabad, said the need for capital in the education sector is one of the highest.
Higher education
“With an estimate of 15-18 per cent CAGR, higher education is one of the most attractive sectors for growth,” he said.
“Andhra Pradesh has the maximum number of state universities, accounting for nearly 12 per cent of all state universities in the country,” he said.