Higher Education Digest – November 2021 – India Edition – Must Watch Architecture Colleges in India by Connecta Innovation

INDIA EDITION

MUST-WATCH ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

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ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021 VES COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE

FEATURING INSIDE

Ruchir Arora Co-Founder & CEO, CollegeDekho Shriyance Jain Managing Director, University of Engineering and Technology Roorkee (UETR) Varun Satia Founder & CEO, Kraftshala

NOVEMBER 2021

NITTE KINDLING THE SPIRI T OF EN T REPRENEURSHIP

FEATURING INSIDE

Anand Prakash Co-founder & Head of Academics, Vedantu Anjali Kumari Sr. Director of Product Management, ThoughtSpot India Ankit Sanan Co-Founder, Inkclick Apurv Modi Managing Director, ATechnos Group and Co-founder, Almond Solutions Prof (Dr) Daviender Narang Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad

Higher Education Digest November 2021

November 2021

Vol - 3 Issue - 14

Architecture Collges 2021 (India Edition) Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

The Changing Structure of Architecture Education

earn swimming online. Google this, and you are into a weird and wonderful world of information in no time, with videos on how to teach your baby to paddle, as well as clips of swimming cats. But can we really swim after watching these videos? A similar action is teaching design course like architecture that needs a great deal of residency component. Most core courses in architecture programs need in-presence interaction between the student and the instructor. However, at the beginning of the pandemic, architecture colleges were left with no choice but to continue teaching their students online. Not all faculties, departments and staff were equipped to shift online. In fact, most have never dealt with this. Besides, the pace of faculty members’ and students’ capacities and abilities to adapt to the new type of technology negatively affected the learning process. After a year of struggle, it is now evident that teaching basic design and design courses remotely embraces many challenges and require an enormous effort from faculty and students.

Though there are several limitations to teaching architecture courses online, we have seen some advantages as well. Today, many academicians and industry experts believe that blend-type courses can be a suitable alternative. They say blended learning could be a solution to enhance design studio courses with online technologies, as it involves both traditional faceto-face in-studios and is supported with synchronous communication via online meetings. In this issue, we feature 10 Must-Watch Architecture Colleges in India that have effectively conducted education during the pandemic and moving forward by adopting the latest trends in architecture studies. They have realized the importance of using the latest technologies in the teaching-learning process and preparing students to be creative in the post-pandemic world. On the cover, we feature, NITTE School of Architecture, Planning, and Design. The college has adapted to the blended model of education that offers the potential to collaborate with other organizations and professionals across time and geographies. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ADVISORY BOARD Dr. Kuldeep Nagi, Ph.D, MBA, BSc.

Program Director of Ph.D, Recipient of Fulbright Fellowship Award & Dan Evans Award for Excellence and Writer columnist.

Dr. Venus M. Alboruto, PhD, Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD, MBA, MPhil, MCom, LLB.

Master Teacher, Researcher, Innovator, Trainer.

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Major General (Rtd.) Dr. Sunil Chandra, VSM (Vishishta Seva Medal), Ph.D, M. Phil, MA, M.Ed, PGBDA Ex-M D Army Welfare Education Society, ExCOO GEMS Education - India, Ex- Addl Dir Gen - Army Education, Mentor - Adventure-Pulse

Former Senior General Manager: Panasonic Middle East & Africa, Thought Leader, Speaker & Author of ‘Moment of Signal’ (Amazon’s International Bestseller)

Dr. Ajay Shukla, Ph.D, MBA, BE. Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at Higher Education UAE

Mr. Amulya Sah, PGD PM & IR, PG Diploma in PM&IR (XISS Ranchi)

Shanthi Rajan (MSHRM, FHEA, AMCILT) Director, Institution Development, University of Stirling, RAK Campus, UAE.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Chief Human Resources Officer, Former Head HR group Samsung R&D Institute India,Transformative HR Leader, Change agent, Digitization facilitator, Engagement architect, Trainer and Diversity champion.

Dr. Khyati Shetty

Ph.D (Marketing)., SFHEA (UK), MBA (Marketing), PGHRM, BA (Marketing & Economics)

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Higher Education Digest November 2021

CONTENTS COVER STORY

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING, AND DESIGN KINDLING THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

VES COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE Creating New Wave in Architecture

MENTOR’S MANTRA

TRENDS IN INNOVATIVE LEARNING: THE EMERGING FACE OF EDUCATION

Prof (Dr) Daviender Narang, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad

ACADEMIC VIEW

MUSIC IN THE ONLINE CLASSROOM

Bindu Subramaniam, Singer-Songwriter, Author, Founder & CEO of SaPa – Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts

Higher Education Digest November 2021

CONTENTS INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

ENGINEERING MARVELS THAT WE WITNESS IN DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Anand Prakash, Co-founder & Head of Academics, Vedantu

REIMAGINING THE ANALYSTS OF THE FUTURE

Anjali Kumari, Sr. Director of Product Management, ThoughtSpot India

10 HIGHER EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA - TRENDS AND CHALLENGES THAT STUDENTS FACE

Ruchir Arora, Co-Founder & CEO, CollegeDekho

Higher Education Digest November 2021

HOW ONLINE EDUCATION IS AFFECTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS

Ankit Sanan, Co-Founder, Inkclick

HOW TECH COMPANIES ARE HELPING IN UPSKILLING STUDENTS

Apurv Modi, Managing Director, ATechnos Group and Co-founder, Almond Solutions

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND WHY GLOBAL EXPOSURE IS IMPERATIVE FOR STUDENTS

Shriyance Jain, Managing Director, University of Engineering and Technology Roorkee (UETR)

11 MAKING YOUR LMS DO MORE WITH INTEROPERABILITY (LTI)

Seethaprasad Mandikel, Founder & CEO, TriByte Technologies

HOW MARKETING AS A SUBJECT HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS GAINING MOMENTUM AS IT PROGRESSES

Varun Satia, Founder & CEO, Kraftshala

Higher Education Digest November 2021

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Higher Education Digest November February 2021

MENTOR’S MANTRA

TRENDS IN INNOVATIVE LEARNING: THE EMERGING FACE OF EDUCATION Prof (Dr) Daviender Narang, Director, Jaipuria Institute of Management, Ghaziabad

Prof (Dr) Daviender Narang is a seasoned professional with over two decades of hands-on expertise and experience in Management of Institution. He has been an academician at heart yet an administrator at mind and practice with a proven track record in working in the education management industry. Dr. Narang has been associated with World bank supported project for two years on capacity building in Ethiopia with Ethiopian Civil Service University as Associate Professor.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

The future of learning will be determined by the emerging technologies

15 “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world” - Nelson Mandela The pandemic has accelerated the pace of change in the modern education world. With digital transformation and the adoption of technology globally, future jobs will be contrary to the idea of “jobs for life.” The conventional process of learning is being replaced with the emergence and implementation of different technologies in the education sector to retain and get future jobs. But there is no need to worry because we are moving to an era, where education is a life-long asset. Digitalization and effective education are significant to develop a skilled workforce. We are entering the era of revolution with online education. Big Data, Machine Learning, and the Internet of Things (IoT) will help students to sharpen their skillset and fulfill industry requirements. The recent trends

in innovative learning have reformed with a strong focus on connectivity, versatility, and student-centered learning. Let’s take a look at a few recent trends in our learning system: 1. Increased demand for non-conventional Courses The change in industry requirements is leading to the rise in demand for technical courses. A wide variety of programs have opened up the market for other avenues. The market has shown upward trends in the number of YouTubers and social media influencers, which has created a huge demand for social media creators. To cater to the demand students are exploring vocational courses in areas such as Photography, Video Making, Video Games, Design Thinking, Fashion, Marketing, PR, Communications, and other niche fields such

Higher Education Digest November 2021

as e-commerce, Hospitality, Food & Catering, Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence. 2. Virtual learning Virtual learning is a prominent trend in the education sector as it offers flexibility and convenience to learners. The process of E-learning has been streamlined by the institutions with virtual learning tools. The video conferencing tools and online live interactions offers students and instructors a classroom experience. The growing awareness about technology and better competence in handling dial tools is making online education more feasible and efficient. It is a costeffective way to deliver content and provide training. The blended technology and classroom instructions together will create a quality and personalized curriculum for the students.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

3. 24X7 Concept-Based learning Digital learning encourages concept-based learning and develops key skills in students to excel in their career paths. It also marks a shift from teacher-centric learning to student-centric education. The government has played a significant role in spreading digitization with Digital India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiatives. The adoption of IT in India has substantially accelerated in urban as well as rural areas. The prevalence of asynchronous learning has made education a 24X7 phenomenon because students can now access their lessons whenever and wherever they want. 4. Assessment using Artificial Intelligence (AI) Artificial Intelligence has not just changed the way students learn but also how their academic progress is assessed. Students appearing in online tests powered

by AI undergo personalized evaluations. AIbased applications offer valuable insights into the overall performance of students. These tools highlight a comparative assessment of a student over several semesters and help them to single out the weak areas in learning where progress can be made with customized and targeted instruction. Teachers thereby can get a better insight into a student’s academic growth and performance. Online assessment system also removes biases of manual evaluation.

We are entering the era of revolution with online education

5. Simulation and Gamification Simulation and Gamification are the most innovative trends in education technology. They support students’ learning processes using computer game design, realistic simulation, and gaming elements. Simulation gives students a glimpse of real-life situations in the virtual form, while gamification improves students’ engagement by catching their attention and increasing their interest in the subject area. This form of tech learning allows students to test their results with knowledge, skills, and intuition. It decreases the risk of partiality by using data analysis algorithms. Learning through games facilitates students to develop their skills and makes the process enjoyable, effective, and experiential. The Future of Learning The future of learning will be determined by the emerging technologies and innovative pedagogies in the education sector. Machine learning may play a dominant role in education systems that can become more scalable. In the next few years, all the critical data will be stored on Cloud. The abundant amount of data is already transforming the role of teachers from knowledge providers to knowledge facilitators, and this trend will continue in the years to come. These new trends in educational technology will develop social-emotional skills in students. The tools allow students to learn beyond the classroom irrespective of geographical boundaries. Moreover, big data analysis will help the education system to analyse the areas where students can do their best and where they lack. That will help teachers to provide better support for enhanced learning outcomes.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

COVER STORY

NITTE

SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING, AND DESIGN

KINDLING THE SPIRIT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ITTE School of Architecture, Planning, and Design is one of the most sought-after architecture schools in the country. With a wide range of courses and programmes to offer, the institute continues to imbibe highquality education to its students. Their vision to be mould students into role models in designing, planning, research, and education. Since its inception in 2016, NITTE has carried the philosophy that every student is suitable to undertake creative studies. The college offers a 5-year B.Arch programme with a sanctioned intake of 80 students and a 4-year B.Plan with 40 students. In fact, NITTE School of Architecture, Planning, and Design is the only institution to have the B.Plan program in Karnataka Approved by AICTE and Affiliated with VTU. The institute is currently in the process of getting ITPI recognition. “We focus on

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Faculty at NITTE SAPD with a Critical approach towards the understanding of modern architecture, will find a basis in the convention and history of Indian and world architecture and formulate a platform of rethinking.

ABOUT

DR. AR. CHANDRAN REKHA JETTY DIRECTOR & FOUNDER PRINCIPAL OF NITTE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE PLANNING & DESIGN Dr. Ar. Chandran Rekha Jetty is an Architect, Researcher, Director & Founder Principal of Nitte School of Architecture Planning & Design, Bengaluru. She has served in various institutions of repute as Professor, and Founder Principal and Director of Thakur School of Architecture and Planning. Dr. Rekha Jetty is Regional Director of Centre for Education Growth and Research for Karnataka Council, Life Member, and Fellow in addition to National Academic Advisory Council Member of CEGR. She is also member of ISTE, New Delhi and IIA, Mumbai and registered with CoA, New Delhi. Dr. Rekha Jetty graduated from VNIT Nagpur, Masters from SAP, Anna University, MBA in Operations and Supply Chain from NIMB, Chennai, and Ph.D. in Architecture and Planning, again from Anna University, Chennai. She is trained 6 Sigma Black Belt from ISL Hyderabad, QMS Lead Auditor from CII, Bengaluru. She has Advance Diploma in Web and E.Com Technologies. She worked in Multimedia, Quality, and Software development areas in CWLGlobal, Compudyne Winfosystems, and Gates Academy in association with Saint Monica Studio USA. Was part of SFX and VFX for films such as Koi Mil Gaya, Devdas, etc. She worked on international projects in multimedia production and quality. Dr. Rekha Jetty has 33 years of experience in Architectural Education and Profession, as Quality and Multimedia consultant. Currently engaged in Research in the areas of Sustainable Artificially intelligent Nano Materials, NeuroArchitecture, Intangible Values in Architecture. She is the recipient of VTU-VGST and AICTE-ISTE funding for the conduction of FDP programs in “Creating Value in Architecture”, and in “Skill Mapping Orientation and Training”.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

developing socially active, diverse, and professionally responsible personnel within a creative setup that ensures the sustainability of the learning environment,” says Dr. Ar. Chandran Rekha Jetty, Director & Founder Principal of NITTE School of Architecture Planning & Design, Bengaluru. At present, NITTE SAPD is designated as the Regional Nodal Centre of CEGR for Karnataka, with Dr. Rekha Jetty as the Regional Director. This opportunity has opened up a platform for various initiatives in the education sector, like signed MoUs with

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM), New Delhi, and Prem Jain Memorial Trust. “We have an IIA NITTE SAP Student Centre, which is the first of its kind and IGBC Nitte SPE students chapter in association with NMIT, Banglore. These tieups will go a long way in giving students opportunities and exposure,” shares Dr. Rekha Jetty. To stimulate students to work harder and focus on their careers and pursuits, Nitte SAPD finds a balance between academic and non-academic activities. This is the key to ensure that there is a holistic development

Architecture studies at NITTE SAPD will provide the scope to access a wide range of knowledge pertaining to technical matters, humanities social and economic planning to complement artistic development.

among learners and help them mould into a professional and completely equipped to take on industrial challenges. “Our 3 tier proctorial system along with reviewers who rotate monthly, students get maximum inputs from a panel of experts which ensures that they are working towards producing deliverables that are close to what is expected in the industry,” explains Dr. Rekha Jetty. Preparing for the Future With COVID-19 at the back of our minds, universities and colleges continue to be resilient and adapt to the changing trends. NITTE also has made significant changes to benefit students and help them to continue teaching their students. By organizing an array of activities, NITTE motivated students to participate in fun learning sessions and specialized seminars that were content-specific to encourage them to work with whatever resources were available at hand and not push for specifics in terms of deliverables, etc. The institute adopted a 3 tier proctorial system to shift from face-toface lectures to virtual reality. This ensured that each student was closely monitored and supported to get on with their work and personal hurdles. Through this system, students hone a sense of dedicated attention and are efficient. With the recommendations of the New Education Policy, 2020, post-pandemic architecture education in India needs to be revamped. In the design aspect of education, Nitte SAPD aims to bridge the gap that might occur when studio sessions are conducted virtually. The faculty continuously find a way to make sessions more interactive and minimize this gap as much as possible. Students have also been proactive through the current situation. During the lockdown, both faculty and students alike upskilled themselves, with more time on their hands to learn and explore. Dr. Rekha Jetty believes that this gained knowledge will pave the way to an improved learning experience in the coming years. Developing Innovative Thought Even though there have been challenges, the institute has adapted to the blended mode of education that offers the potential to collaborate with other organizations and professionals across time and geographies. Nitte established Collaborative Incubation Cell (CIC), a cell to promote collaborations and give students the opportunity to learn, network, and work. In 2018, Nitte SAPD was funded under the AICTE ISTE scheme to conduct a Faculty Development Programme on Skill Mapping Training and Orientation based on a proposal

Higher Education Digest November 2021

submitted by us. The following year, they had a unique opportunity to host a Bigathon with Berkeley National Lab and Facilio to release the Building Innovation Guide that analyses and recommends the best practices to design and construct buildings that are smart, energy-efficient, and high performance for different climate zones of our country. The institute also has a Research cell and IIC (Institution’s Innovation Council) that keeps faculty and students closely connected to the specific innovation initiatives like impact lecture series, innovation ambassador training programmes, contest, etc. The IIC setup ensures that the required resources are mobilized, and seed funding to help students and faculty are provided to convert their ideas into demonstrable proof of concepts and working prototypes. Further, we also give the required pre-incubation support for the budding student entrepreneurs aspiring to start business ventures/startups based on their innovative ideas. The same is facilitated through MSME, which is also a business incubation center. Students also participated in competitions with the National Association for Students of Architecture, performing remarkably well and marking their place in the fraternity. “Under the directives of MHRD of Govt. of India, NITTE SAPD also established Institution Innovation Council (IIC) in collaboration with AICTE

Higher Education Digest November 2021

to systematically foster the culture of innovation and start-up ecosystem our institution to give multiple levels of support for the student innovators,” Dr. Rekha Jetty shares. To get prepare students to be future-ready, Nitte SAPD has different aspects in place to mold students into responsible individuals. In Architecture and Planning, the institute dedicates an entire semester for professional training. “The current batch is spread out in about 20 plus firms that our some of the top names in the field in the city - Deepak Puri Architects, Greenscape Consultants, OSSA Architects, Gayathri Design studio, Project Lakshya, etc. to name a few,” Dr. Jetty mentions. With all these associations in place, Nitte SAPD has all the ingredients needed to open doors for students to explore numerous opportunities before they even enter the competitive work environment. This also encourages the students to have a sense of innovation and out-ofthe-box thinking that helps them to foster new ideas and also gives them the spirit of entrepreneurship. “Our focus would be to engage faculty and students into using advanced sustainable and technological segments of building performance and building science, Nanotechnology, robotics and artificial intelligence that are advancing areas in the architecture and planning profession,” Dr. Rekha Jetty concludes.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

ENGINEERING MARVELS THAT WE WITNESS IN DAY-TODAY LIFE Anand Prakash, Co-founder & Head of Academics, Vedantu

Anand Prakash is Co-Founder and Head of Academics at Vedantu, Vedantu- India’s leading Online EdTech company which has LIVE interactive model and enables students to learn LIVE with some of India’s bestcurated teachers. Anand co-founded Lakshya in 2006, along with his childhood friends Pulkit Jain and Vamsi Krishna. Lakshya was their first educational venture in 2006 which was a Test Prep company in North India which got acquired by MTEducare, a listed company, in 2012. Vedantu is their second venture together in education.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

The importance of engineering has soared to greater heights

ngineering has been a part of human civilization since the very inception of mankind. From making ancient tools to building the latest gadgets, these interventions have designed and shaped the world around us. As opportunities and abilities evolve, the coming new generation possesses its own set of innovative thinkers. With its diverse spectrum, engineering has left its footprint in all avenues of life. Here are a few examples of the revolutionary wonders back by engineering that we pass by in daily life:

has helped build bridges, dams, tunnels and many more, sustaining our civilization for over many generations.

1. Building blocks of the world: Many of you must have come across the tall Burj Khalifa. The foundation of the massive structure is built through concrete, one of the most widely used man-made materials. Along with cement, it is used to develop the infrastructure in which we reside. The knowledge of civil engineering

3. Renewing the source of energy: As global warming continues to be a growing concern in today’s world, engineers are at the forefront of driving a better change. By powering things small and big, electric engineering is changing the way we generate energy by incorporating sustainable means such as solar, wind and water energy.

2. At the core of our health: When we think about healthcare the first thing that comes to our mind are doctors, however, the true nature of medicine is often a combined initiative between science and engineering. The discovery of Penicillin, for instance, was through scientific engineering. This antibiotic has improved the life span of an individual, fighting infections, and protecting health for a long time.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

28 By fitting in high-voltage current safely into appliances, these engineers are making a difference one gadget at a time.

By powering things small and big, electric engineering is changing the way we generate energy by incorporating sustainable means such as solar, wind and water energy

Higher Education Digest November 2021

4. High-tech innovations: Engineering tenets have always been about solving complex problems and simplifying them to make lives productive. Be it transportation, manufacturing, automobile, software and so on, engineering has always played a pivotal role in our endeavours. To further simplify them for the next gen, 5G, AI and ML will help engineers build robots and drive revolutionary innovations to get ready for the future. The importance of engineering has soared to greater heights as we increasingly use technology to connect people. Combined with the growth of interest and increase in the number of specialised courses, engineering of all streams such as electronics, electrical, mechanical, automotive, aeronautic, telecommunications, chemical, biotechnology, etc, are here to transform dreams into reality.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

REIMAGINING THE ANALYSTS OF THE FUTURE Anjali Kumari, Sr. Director of Product Management, ThoughtSpot India

Anjali is the Lead for India Product & Design team at ThoughtSpot, where she leads product, user experience, and enablement. Prior to ThoughtSpot, she was with Capillary Technologies leading ideation, creation, and launch of new products. Anjali also led the product team at Myntra. Before moving to Bangalore, Anjali was working in Bay Area, California with companies like Box. net and Enterprise Solutions Inc. She holds a Master’s in Computer Science from Purdue University and yet another Master in Business Administration from Indian School of Business, Hyderabad.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

The demand for data science professionals is at an all time high, and the supply has not been able to catch up

lmost a decade back, renowned thought leader and author, Tom Davenport, and the US’ first Chief Data Scientist, DJ Patil proclaimed that ‘Data Science is the sexiest job of the 21st century’. This exciting headline, which has since become an ‘iconic’ statement in the technology industry, led to the demand of data science talent to skyrocket as organizations sought to unlock transformative growth through AI, ML and data analytics. The high demand pushed salaries through the roof and gave an enviable sheen to anyone in the field – as the career of the future. In India, data science jobs were expected to see 150,000 new openings in 2020, which was an increase of about 62% as compared to 2019. Data science professionals with 3-10 years of experience got salaries in the range of INR 2.5 million to INR 6.5 million, and those with more experience can draw upwards of INR 10 million to INR 18 million according to Michael

Page’s Talent Trends 2021 report. However, like most technology trends, the hype and the reality of what data science can accomplish aren’t aligned. Expectation vs Reality In 2021, the mismatch of expectation and reality is causing data science to lose its luster. Rapid growth and demand in digital transformation especially after the pandemic have led organizations to invest heavily in advanced analytics and next generation technologies like IoT, blockchain and quantum computing. But for most organizations, their investments in AI and machine learning have failed to produce the promised results. Moreover, the demand for data science professionals is at an all time high, and the supply has not been able to catch up. The data scientists themselves are not to blame. For the most part, they’ve done what they were trained to

Higher Education Digest November 2021

do. Instead, it is the shortage of talent as well as the gaps between data science talent, the AI and machine learning technology that many are trained to use, and the business problems they seek to solve that are creating this friction and preventing the promised value from being delivered. Globally, according to a MIT Sloan review, as many as 85% of big data and machine learning projects fail to produce ROI. Moreover, in the last few years, the Indian economy has been rising and the private sector has been doing well. Since every company has wanted to join the AI race, they are creating their own data science teams. However, these companies have not done their due diligence before hiring data science professionals or developing the practice in-house. Companies needed to have a clear vision and strategy as to how their AI investment is going to play out in the long run. Many companies mislead consumers and potential candidates by saying that they are using AI and deep learning, while the story is completely different. When later companies find no tangible value from large data science teams – data science professionals are the first to get laid off as ‘non-essential’ personnel, during crisis.

Reimaging data science The issue here is two-fold. Those trained in data science have incredible education when it comes to computer science, mathematics, and statistical models. However, most of them are undertrained in business applications and domain expertise. And many times, upper-level management might have a lack of immediately realizing the value of data science to core business functions and revenues. This lack of training and awareness is the culprit, keeping data science from delivering the value many expect – and this has led to the gap between the business and technical subset of people. Further, there’s been little to no emphasis on requisite communication and data storytelling skills. It’s this overemphasis on technical skills and under emphasis of business and soft skills that have led to not only a communication gap, but an imagination gap. Having said that, many organizations have done exciting work to help address these issues, including codevelopment of curriculum with universities to broaden instruction from math and tech skills to include business acumen, communication, and versatility. In fact, the most successful data scientists themselves aren’t just sitting back; they’re actively self-training and upskilling themselves in these areas, too. It’s these individuals,

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Engineering interventions have designed and shaped the world around us

who can bridge the analytics with business outcomes, who will have the ‘sexiest’ careers of the coming decade. Going forward, if business value is not seen, companies are going to cherry-pick the talent and get rid of the rest. With so many people. Data science professions may not rise like software engineering during crisis – like the pandemic - but the demand for experienced and proven professionals who bring business value through data insights is always going to be there.

Higher Education Digest November 2021 December October January 2019 2020

ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

study that combines art, science, and engineering makes architecture the right choice for a motivated student. The need of the hour is to have skilled architects create future-ready infrastructure. As India grows and the population increases, we need to continuously innovate to create more sustainable solutions due to diminishing resources and snowballing needs. Pursuing a degree in architecture can be advantageous. From building houses and buildings to bridges and roads, architecture can pave the way for infrastructural growth and innovation. An architecture student needs to keep numerous things in mind when designing and also while studying the subject. It involves hours of planning, resourcing, visualization, finding viable solutions to design and structural problems, and much more. This requires continuous learning, an essential part of architectural studies, to keep up with the latest developments and trends in the industry. In today’s world, innovation is everything. As the country develops, we need to find solutions that are sustainable and practical. Architecture is not only building good infrastructure but should also reflect the culture of the people living around it. To be innovative and yet grounded, architecture students need to embrace art and history to be innovative designers. Students need to be open to exploring different architectural designs from various cultures to mould a new concept of their own. By delving into research, students can be taught how to make functional designs that can prove to be the right solution for infrastructural problems today. Being one of the oldest and comprehensive courses, architecture has become a popular choice for students nationwide. This new interest has acted as a catalyst for the rise in the number of architecture colleges and universities in the country. Thus, in this issue, we present the 10 Must-Watch Architecture Colleges in India, bringing them to the limelight and looking at how they have innovated and adapted education and training in recent times.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

University Name

City

State

Aurora’s Design Academy

Hyderabad

Telangana

Avani Institute of Design

Kozhikode

Kerala

Crescent School of Architecture

Vandalur

Tamil Nadu

Faculty of Architecture, CEPT University

Ahmedabad

Gujarat

Manipal School of Architecture & Planning

Manipal

Karnataka

Nitte School of Architecture Planning & Design

Bengaluru

Karnataka

Royal School of Architecture

Guwahati

Assam

School of Architecture, Techno India University

Kolkata

West Bengal

Sir J J College of Architecture

Mumbai

Maharashtra

V.E.S. College of Architecture

Mumbai

Maharashtra

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ARCHITECTURE COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

VES COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE CREATING NEW WAVE IN ARCHITECTURE

ounded in 2018, VES College of Architecture (VESCOA) has become one of the top-tier architecture colleges in India. By focusing on developing a holistic approach towards an environment of learning, innovation, integration, and leadership, VESCOA intends to develop an architectural education that is replete with humane, socio-cultural, environmental, technological, aesthetic, and philosophical values. “Our college was established with the vision of developing a vibrant knowledge-oriented environment and a centre of excellence in the field of architecture, contributing towards creating a sustainable, humane habitat. The inculcation of value-based learning, developing an ambient environment for research, encouraging creative innovation, and sensitizing designers towards their role in creating a sustainable, humane habitat are the factors that inform our mission,” says Prof Anand Achari, Principal, VES College of Architecture. Located in Chembur, Mumbai, VESCOA enjoys several benefits like having a large green campus shared collaboratively with other disciplines, globally competitive infrastructure, as well as consistent, grounded guidance in institution building. In addition to this, the college also has its own governing body constituted by senior-most luminaries of the Indian architectural fraternity, who have used the wealth of their experience and wisdom to envision VESCOA’s projected role in contributing to the future of architecture in India as well as on the global stage. Equipped and Ready VESCOA takes sustainability to a new level with interesting insights that could prove to be more effective in the long run. By collaborating with over 10 industry organizations, the institution has imbibed the principles of sustainability within the pedagogical

Higher Education Digest November 2021

VESCOA focuses on developing human, social-cultural, environmental, technological, aesthetics and philosophical values in architectural education.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

ABOUT

PROF. ANAND ACHARI

PRINCIPAL, VES COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE Professor Anand Achari works as an architect and teaches students at the graduate and post-graduate levels for 19 years. His primary focus of teaching is towards environmental architecture and sustainability. He was the Head of Department of Post Graduate course at Rizvi College of Architecture for 7 years and taught graduate students at various architectural colleges for 19 years

along with practicing Green building certification in India for the past 10 years. He has certified many buildings under USGBC, IGBC, GRIHA, and the following credentials: IGBC AP, GRIHA Trainer, EDGE Auditor, and Expert, ECBC Master Trainer. Currently, Prof Anand is a faculty member at USGBC and a fellow at the Indian Institute of Architects and a member of the World Society of Ekistics, Greece. He is pursuing his PhD at IIT Bombay and conducts various courses in the colleges based on Sustainability and Green Buildings.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

framework of the architectural training. With a Gold membership from US Green Building Council (USGBC), as well as its collaboration with the Delhi-based firm Environmental Design Solutions (EDS), VESCOA perseveres to teach students to approach design sustainably and responsibly. The college conducts detailed workshops that greatly benefit students with hands-on experience in designing Green Buildings and Climate Responsive shelters. Hafele India Pvt. Ltd., an international company with expertise in hardware, fitting, and electronic locking systems, is one of the collaborators that VESCOA had the opportunity to work with. The company organized a CDP (Continual Development Program) for VESCOA students and faculty in January 2021 on Mastering Kitchen Design. A tie-up with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for training on DfGE (Designing for Greater Efficiency) has been inked and a workshop on the same was also conducted for students. By providing state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops for Services, Surveying and Levelling, Environmental Studies, Computers, Carpentry, and Model-making, VESCOA aims to be at par with the global best in terms of training infrastructure. Students make good use of these facilities for academic activities and assignments, being thus armed with practical knowledge and hands-on experience. Apart from the course, the institute also offers elective courses on Material & Technology, Theory & Ideations, Advanced Simulation for Buildings, and Urban/Rural Studies to engage students

Students are encouraged to participate in live projects though the Research cell and Institutional consultancy of VESCOA.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

VESCOA motivates students to spend more time in college and use all the resources like Library, Labs, Workshops and other resources to the full extent.

from various backgrounds, be it basic, intermediate or advanced, or even at a professional level. In addition to this, the college conducts weekly Club Activities to nurture individual talent like writing, photography and sketching. Thanks to this all-around training, certain VESCOA students were awarded scholarships from the Suman Tulsiani Trust in 2020. Shani Sharma of VESCOA’s 2nd year was a recipient of the prestigious VES Shreshtha Award for 2020, awarded for the exemplary display of leadership, values, and high moral character. Adopted and Adapted Addressing the daunting challenges of COVID-19, VES College of Architecture realized early that it could pose a major setback to the intense amount of practical learning students normally need to become proficient architects. The course in itself manifests as a highly tangible learning process of deliberate actions taken with space, scale, material, and form. Thus, the pandemic and remote learning model that the students and faculty were forced to implement came with an equal amount of adaptation, reshaping of ways, methods, resources, and mind-sets to align with the new normal. With Google Suite, VESCOA students adapted to this remote learning endeavour on account of the wide range of applications it offers, with tools that go beyond simple online lectures/classes and Webinars. “Google Classroom was used to enable sharing of reference material from e-libraries and other sources, collection of assignments, and marking attendance, while Google Meet was used to conduct online classes. Platforms such as Google Jamboard and Concept Board facilitate online studio interactions using graphic and textual tools so that design drawings and concepts can be threshed out on the (virtual) drawing board,” shares Prof Anand. Google Street View was also used extensively to substitute the real-world exposure needed to gain domain knowledge in a different place, culture, and architecture, for

Higher Education Digest November 2021

everything from case studies to site visits. With online education, the college is in the process of digitizing labs to keep up with the technological and physical developments that will prepare a future-ready generation of budding professionals. To increase interaction online, VESCOA organized several socio-cultural events to motivate students and staff alike. Faculty mentors were assigned to each student for individual and group interactions for guidance and motivation. These adaptations helped VESCOA maintain the vibrancy of its learning atmosphere and ensured continued productive academic and co-curricular interactions. “Though forced on us by a terrible Pandemic,

the lockdown showed us our hidden adaptive strengths and opened up different possibilities in the method of conducting the business of teaching. While sensitizing us to value our liberties and access, it has also increased the resilience of our teaching-learning processes,” Prof Anand affirms. Looking Forward As an architects, it is important for us to imbibe various fields, cultures, societies, economies, polities, terrains, ecologies, as well as timelines and their intersections. Architects need to be well equipped to understand how each element interacts with each other and must acquire the

Higher Education Digest November 2021

VESCOA conducted hands on exercise on the construction yard where the students had a chance to Design and Build various brick bonds and Arches in bricks in three days.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

rational, analytical tools to understand the dynamics between their architecture and its tangible and intangible surroundings. VESCOA adopts an integrated system of instruction that uses Ekistics, a scientific approach to the study of human settlements, to train its budding architects in handling such cross-sectional interactions. This Ekistics-based approach instils the spirit of scientific inquiry into the mutual impact between a piece of architecture and its universe of elements over the short and long terms using rationalized models and matrices. “By this, we ensure that architects passing out from VESCOA think critically of the spaces they’re commissioned to design and beyond, to the environment from which those spaces are carved – aligned with our institutional mission of creating a sustainable, humane habitat,” says Prof Anand adds. Collaborations between students, teachers, and professionals are the key to learning, realization, discovery, and integration; to become able leaders in the profession and in society. These interactions constantly encourage students to balance their learning approach, preserve the values of traditional systems, and simultaneously working towards experimentation and innovation. With continuous academic rigour, VESCOA prepares students to become proficient architectural practitioners by being equipped to handle the changing needs of the industry. To stay updated with global advances, the institute regularly incorporates relevant training modules and material demonstrations within its academic curriculum. Prof. Anand informs, “Thus far, we have conducted such programs on a wide range of aspects like advanced software skills, knowledge of Green Buildings,

intricacies of Interior Design, and Tall Buildings,” shares Prof Anand. Motivated to be Innovative At VESCOA, students are given the liberty to nurture their interests and build on them throughout their course. “The generally adopted practice of teaching these as separate, distinct subjects under the prescribed common syllabus leaves it to the students to figure out the interconnections and apply them in their projects, which they may or may not do during their five year course or thereafter,” opines Prof Anand. VESCOA takes a dynamically structured approach that integrates these different aspects of architecture. “While planning the course schedule for each semester with an integrated approach, every week’s teaching module is designed to connect across the relevant design, technology, and humanities sections applicational to be imbibed as a composite block of learning. This allows the various subjects to be absorbed by the students not just as a holistic package but also through a demonstrative process. Such innovations also keep the faculty actively engaged in inventive thought and explorative processes in the realm of teaching,” he adds. Being a young institute, VESCOA continues to invest its best efforts into infrastructure to create a vibrant, inspiring, and competent learning environment for the students, who are budding professionals of tomorrow. In this regard, the college intends to support them in various ventures that they may take in the future. VES has initiated the VES Atal Incubation Centre, where students’ innovative ideas shall be seed-funded after formal approvals by the governing members. Thus, they encourage and promote the spirit of entrepreneurship. “To this end, we all remain committed and endeavour persistently to provide relevant support facilities for every student’s physical and mental wellbeing and growth,” says Prof Anand reassures. The Future of Design VESCOA plans to expand its base and includes different aspects of architecture under its wings. in 2020. We inaugurated our School of Design that presently offers an Interior Design Diploma course. In addition to this, it has also instituted 8 short-term certificate courses on Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence in Design, Photography,

Higher Education Digest November 2021

VESCOA has been conducting many continual development programmes for professional and faculty which will benefit the students as well.

Product Design, CRD, Advanced Building Simulations, and Remote Sensing. VESCOA is soon to launch a course on Interior Construction Management for students, professionals, and recent graduates, in collaboration with IIID, ALM, and Skill India. Currently, VESCOA is actively working on receiving accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) to officially certify its status as an institute of quality education in the design arena. Prof. Achari adds in conclusion,“We are an enthused and inspired team of educators who endeavour each day to promote our vision of creating sustainable, humane habitats for the bright future of our planet through the inculcation of values, skills, and knowledge in the next generation of design professionals.” shares Prof Anand.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Higher Higher Education Education Digest Digest November 2021 November 2020

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HIGHER EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM IN INDIA TRENDS AND CHALLENGES THAT STUDENTS FACE Ruchir Arora, Co-Founder & CEO, CollegeDekho

Ruchir is the Co-Founder and CEO of CollegeDekho which is one of India’s fastest growing Ed-Tech startups. CollegeDekho is connecting students to colleges and universities from across geographies with latest information on admissions, entrance tests, infrastructure, courses and careers. The startup aims at institutionalizing students counseling in India and thus far has counselled over four million students in just six years of its inception. Ruchir has 13 + years of experience in internet start-ups, technology and media domains. Ruchir did his Mechanical Engineering from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology in 2001 and went to Indian School of Business for PGP in Information Technology and Finance. He has worked with TechM as a Manager and led Sales Operations for Shine.com, India’s premier job portal, managing 200+ sales executives across 10 locations. Ruchir founded HTCampus. com in 2010 targeting the education advertising and admissions services market.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

The sudden shift has not been easy on the teachers either

he Indian education market is expected to grow 2X to $225 billion by FY25 at 14 per cent CAGR over FY20-25 as per an IVC and PGA Labs report titled ‘The Great Un-Lockdown: Indian EdTech’. In fact, the Ministry of Human Resource Development has estimated that India’s EdTech expenditure would reach $10 trillion by 2030. With such high stakes, the Indian education ecosystem is actually one of the world’s largest democratic educational eco systems! While the government is investing in the creation of numerous HEI’s, the gap in the ratio of seats in good HEI’s compared to the ratio of students seeking admission is high. So, where is the problem? Is India’s primary education behind the fact that most students do not make the cut or is it the huge discrepancy in our education system to which the students are the ultimate victims?

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Every year, nearly 10 million students graduate class 12th across central and state boards. The unrealistic cutoffs and high competition makes it a tough call for students to secure admission in the highly acclaimed government-backed institutions like Delhi University, Mumbai University, IITs, NITs, IIITs, NLUs, AIIMS, IHMs, etc., that have only 0.17 million (1.7 lakh) seats on offer. As a result of that, only a few meritorious students are able to grab seats in the courses of their choice, while the majority is left to fend for themselves. Where do they go? Well, a lot of them look at other public and state universities or standalone institutions where they can find affordable education coupled with highly qualified faculty but may have to compromise on the infrastructural facilities and limited modes of learning available for them. And it is here that the private education sector has taken over. And this can be validated by the fact in the growth of private educational institutes across India who have catered to the ultimate need of making higher education accessible to the masses. Many private colleges and universities in India, through their industrial collaborations and efforts to meet global standards, are continuously providing students with the necessary exposure through practical learning methods with an aim to produce global leaders. Private setups like BITS Pilani, VIT University have even featured in the top 1200 in QS Rankings 2022 that were released recently. But on the flip side, there also exists private setups offering education that are either bogus or expensive as compared to the government institutes. So students seeking admission need to be extra-cautious while choosing the right college. With so many options available to students, it is but natural to be confused on the right college to choose. Given the lack of any central guidance system, the new-age ed-tech platforms are making use of this (in)opportunity to help students in their higher education journey. Besides the shift in college options, students are no longer limited to opt for traditional courses like MBBS, engineering or sciences. In current times, nonconventional courses like Physiotherapy, Optometry, Hotel Management, Graphic Designing, Digital Marketing, VFX & Animation, etc. are emerging as hot alternative career options. And that’s not the only shift; students have varied electives to choose from as per their interest and likeability nowadays irrespective of their main course of study.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Secondly, access to the internet for the young generation has increased manifold that has now resulted in a great mobile penetration in the country. Education and learning is now available at a click, mostly in an audio-visual or interactive format. Students are not only engrossed in their regular course curriculum, but they are also taking keen interest in taking up additional online courses that they can access anytime and anywhere with a purpose of honing their skills in a particular field of interest. Thirdly, both government and private colleges and universities are continuously diversifying their portfolios and brand image by signing up MoUs with industries as well as other leading educational organisations in India as well as abroad to foster relationships and network alliances. Students are encouraged to enroll in exchange programs to make them globally aware and more employable. The use of Artificial Intelligence and other upcoming technologies is also helping institutions in shifting gears to a fresh and easy to use form of student assessment that encompasses a more student-specific feedback, evaluation and grading tools, proctored online examinations, etc.

51 The use of Artificial Intelligence and other upcoming technologies is also helping institutions Covid-19 has changed the education framework of the world and has adapted to a more experiential learning methodology. While most have adjusted to the new education formula, India, with its massive geographical proportions is still facing uninterrupted education due to unavailability of the basic infrastructure. Moreover, with vernacular education prevalent in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities, the gap seems to be increasing. The sudden shift has not been easy on the teachers either. With traditional teaching suddenly being replaced by online classes, has made the teacher’s job harder. In

addition to preparing course material, they are required to keep pace with the emerging digital tools and methodology and adapt to them. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is set to bring about more changes in the education system of India in the next 5-7 years. The introduction of the Academic Bank of Credit will enable students to look at multiple entry and exit options within stipulated time periods at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Additionally, MHRD will also create a special unit that will focus on developing infrastructure and digital content to promote e-education. Multiple measures will also be taken to introduce more online courses and digital repositories, recognise MOOCs on the basis of credits in order to ensure quality of imparting knowledge is maintained. With major changes expected in the next few years, we are yet to see how the gala plan of empowering students with higher education will pan out, but one thing is certain; if India is able to pull off & implement the NEP policies with getting tangled in the web of bureaucracy, India can surely stand tall with the USA, UK or Canada etc. with its quality of education and increasing employability of students.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HOW ONLINE EDUCATION IS AFFECTING THE MENTAL HEALTH OF STUDENTS Ankit Sanan, Co-Founder, Inkclick

52 Ankit Sanan, Co-Founder of Inkclick is an Electronics Engineer & Professional Aviator. His experience in Aviation helped him to understand the need for Global Learning from users of various Countries. His vision is to create a Social Network for Students, Parents &amp; Mentors to measure and review the progress that transpired in every quarter of learning. To be updated with today’s unending evolving world is a necessity for everyone, hence, to educate users from all walks of life on advancements in Education & Careers and allow young users to identify & their strengths while growing is our main objective.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Millions of students today are moving towards online learning

OVID-19 has brought an unprecedented change and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people across the globe. The pandemic has affected nearly every aspect of our lives and has demanded abrupt changes in the status quo. Like several other sectors, the education sector was among the most severely impacted, schools, colleges and universities were shut down overnight due to lockdown which caused a major interruption in the academic year and brought a big gap in the learning of students and forced them to stay at home especially in a country like India who has one of the largest student populations in the world, approximately 315 million. According to UNICEF, over 1.5 million schools were closed due to the COVID-19 wave across the country that directly impacted students and teachers. As the saying goes, ‘Necessity is the mother of all inventions. As a result, the educational system has changed

and reinvented itself with innovative ideas to meet the new government restrictions about safety and staying at home. Most schools and educational institutions moved to conduct online classes for their students to assist them in continuing their education. Though, even before COVID-19, education technology was seeing rapid expansion and adoption, with worldwide edtech investments reaching US$18.66 billion in 2019 and the whole industry for online education expected to reach $350 billion by 2025. Since COVID-19, there has been a considerable increase in the utilisation of language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, and online learning software to help students learn using online platforms. Millions of students today are moving towards online learning and are now enrolled in at least one online course due to the flexibility and benefits virtual learning bring to the table. Online education comes in so many shapes and

Higher Education Digest November 2021

sizes. Students have an endless amount of opportunities to learn new things through online learning. It is in fact in today’s time is considered big support in a child’s growth and it is a favourable proposition to contribute to mental health or wellness and growth of a student. Children, like adults, have emotional needs that parents sometimes fail to recognise or understand, resulting in unexplained worry that can reflect itself in their personality, leading to long-term concerns with attachment patterns and self-esteem. The pandemic has

Higher Education Digest November 2021

also taken a toll on the emotional health of children due to lack of social interactions and limited understanding of the restrictions imposed on them, it has also radically altered conventional routines now that the entire family is confined indoors all the time. As per the Indian Psychiatry Society, there was a hike of about 20% in the number of mental illness cases at the end of March 2020. Since 2020, the situation has become even worse. Students have been going through depressive thoughts, behavioural and emotional disorders, which have severely impacted their growth parameters and their overall development. Mental health as a concept is now at the forefront for all students, parents and teachers especially in Tier 1 cities and Tier 2&3 to follow suit because our country has finally realised that there are some mental issues that people go through which affects their growth and development. They have started talking about the issues that hamper their mental wellbeing online. New Careers and Job proposition alongside growth in the country has lead people to understand how mental health is of paramount importance for an individual’s holistic development. To create a holistic growth ecosystem for students, Inkclick, an online social learning platform providing a free community, consolidated space to students for their holistic growth and learning needs. Bearing the importance of holistic wellness for the overall development of students in their journey towards success, Inkclick has onboarded several mental wellness centres to offer growth and comprehensive mental health support to students, parents and educators. The platform aims at providing a completely fresh outlook for the holistic development of students while enhancing their talents in the age of digitalization. On this platform students can easily avail free webinars, career talks, recorded and live courses around various aspects of mental wellbeing while getting a chance to book a free consultation with wellness experts. All the stakeholders intend to transform the base of education, imparting knowledge by focusing on the mental wellness of students. Final Words: Inkclick, India’s first online learning and social networking platform is trying to revolutionize the education system where equal importance is given to mental wellbeing, helping students, parents and teachers build a healthy mindset so that they can take up any life challenges in their journey of success.

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Higher Education Digest November 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

MUSIC IN THE ONLINE CLASSROOM Bindu Subramaniam, Singer-Songwriter, Author, Founder & CEO of SaPa – Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts

56 Bindu Subramaniam is a singer, songwriter, Founding Director of SaPa in Schools and Dean at SaPa Subramaniam Academy of Performing Arts. She is passionate about using intercultural perspectives and trans disciplinary education to create a systemic change, and develop social equality, cultural democracy and 21st century skills in children. With that in mind, she co-founded the SaPa in Schools program with her brother Ambi Subramaniam in 2014. Bindu was one of India’s first educators to develop a toddlerfocused musical training module and has co-authored 15 SaPa textbooks in total. She writes the course material for children of all age groups, which has been translated into Tamil and Kannada. She designed the curriculum to include a global music component, which introduces children to languages as well as cultural practices from over 15 countries. She also wrote the Music and the World Around component, which helps students draw parallels between music and “real world” topics like history, math and physics. Bindu has been described as a “third generation prodigy treading her own path,” a gen-next achiever to look out for, and a prominent Karnataka woman educating differently.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

To pursue different interests and passions, to work hard, be creative, and never stop learning

he challenges around online schooling especially for young children - are fairly obvious, and though schools and teachers have gone above and beyond for the last year and a few months, there are still gaps. This is primarily because it’s very hard to maintain the attention span of children online. Getting your child to stare at a screen for a few hours a day is easy; getting them to absorb and process what’s happening on the screen is less so. As educators continuing to deal with unprecedented situations, we need to reevaluate everything we have been taught, everything we have trained to do, in order to create a better learning experience for our kids. What are the learning goals we need to look for in an online context? How are they different from what in-person learning can achieve and in what ways are they similar? As music educators, for example, we immediately realized that the cornerstone of a general music program

Higher Education Digest November 2021

As educators continuing to deal with unprecedented situations, we need to reevaluate everything

Higher Education Digest November 2021

– group singing, was impossible in an online context because unmuting everyone in a meeting and asking them to sing together doesn’t work with audio lag. You’d hear a cacophony of voices in different times echoing back and forth and creating a very unappealing audio experience. One idea is to have everyone muted and singing along, and the student hears only themselves and the teacher. This works to some extent, but it is, at best a poor Plan B. So we started looking at changing our views. Instead of “How do we get children to sing together?”, we started wondering “How can we get children to engage positively with music online?”, and then “How many music help children while schooling online?” Through the pandemic, we’ve been working with a number of schools to see how music and arts can help maintain attention spans and promote mental health and social emotional learning. Here are some of our best practices: 1. A one-minute song or activity at the start of a class helps children settle, expend some energy and focus. You don’t have to think of something new every day; children enjoy repetition, so a handful of fun songs and musical games can go a long way. This helps children ease into the class and create a positive environment which is conducive to interaction and learning. 2. Connect what students are learning with music or art activities to allow them to engage with the material offline. It could be a painting of a scientific concept, a math poster or a song in social studies. Be creative and allow the children to come up with interesting submissions. When children are at home, instead of trying to recreate the atmosphere of school, encourage them to bring relevant experiences and objects from home life to school. 3. Short but frequent sessions which involve children standing up and moving help children focus and relieves stress and eye strain. Sitting at the computer without a break can lead to bad posture, back and neck aches and eye strain. All of these make it harder for children to focus and pay attention. As adults, we know the perils of online zoom calls and how difficult it is to focus, but it’s even harder for children who are naturally inquisitive and energetic. 4. Play soft instrumental music in the background while having quiet work time. This helps drown out external noises (which can easily distract children) and create a calm environment. Music with lyrics can be distracting for some children, so instrumental music is the right choice here.

5. Try out music-based Social Emotional Learning activities which help develop self-awareness and selfcontrol. When children feel more in control of their environment, they not only learn, but do everything better. Set aside some time to get feedback and ideas from students. Not only does it help children feel like they are more in control of what is happening, but you might get some great ideas! Even as we see cases rising and dipping, and schools preparing to open and perhaps close again, we must admit that at the very least hybrid learning is here to stay, and we have to figure out how to best the best use of the tools we have online.

As we continue to learn and adapt to our everchanging circumstances, some questions to continually ask ourselves are: What are our actual learning goals at this time? What are we trying to achieve online? How can we make online something other than a poor plan B? How can we utilize online resources in a positive and engaging way? What additional support do our children need at this time? When we don’t know what the future looks like, the greatest advantage we can give our students it to learn to love to learn. To pursue different interests and passions, to work hard, be creative, and never stop learning.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HOW TECH COMPANIES ARE HELPING IN UPSKILLING STUDENTS Apurv Modi, Managing Director, ATechnos Group and Co-founder, Almond Solutions

60 Apurv Modi is one of the successful young entrepreneurs and has developed path in Media, Broadcasting, Content that to in the mobility and techno mobile sector in India and International Market. As a young entrepreneur, Apurv is passionate about Innovation in Gaming, Creativity in game play and development in Mobile TV, IPTV, OTT, Smart TV that can help people to increase the era of Entertainment improve lives of people across worldwide Market. Apurv’s group current business interests in the Content and Mobility space exemplify this vision by creating affordable mobile internet products and services that enable the masses to access the latest technology.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

While the internships were always a part of graduate and post-grad programmes, these have evolved significantly in many ways

he India Skills Report (ISR) released in February 2021, says that less than 50% of Indian graduates are employable. So, it won’t be unfair to say that unemployment is not necessarily lack of jobs but also lack of skilled individuals who can take up the available jobs. In the parallel, companies across the world are paying less and less attention to college education and focusing on a candidate’s problem-solving skills, creativity and temperament. The post-pandemic bounce-back of economy is heavily dependent on the human workforce and to that cause the Indian corporate ecosystem especially the tech companies have come forward to bring a change. Why tech specifically? Because the lack of good talent is hurting the tech industry the most. The meteoric rise in the growth of tech start-ups, public & private focus on the technology sector, and the rapid transition of

traditional organizations to technology driven products and processes has put tremendous pressure on hiring. Tech companies can’t afford to hire fresh graduates who need to be trained for another three-six months. The investments from global technology behemoths pouring into Reliance Jio, and Tata’s continuous acquisition of local tech-start-ups are hints enough for one to understand why the tech industry needs to be the one to take the charge of building the next-gen of workforce. To that effect, tech industry has found a solution in the students. Eager to learn, eager to make a difference and not willing to wait for a placement season to define their destiny. There are a few ways in which the tech industry is upskilling the students: • Partnering with universities to make hands-on participation in real-life projects a crucial part of the course curriculum, and a key milestone in earning that coveted degree

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Companies across the world are paying less and less attention to college education

Higher Education Digest November 2021

• Setting up virtual classrooms to provide a resultoriented mentorship from industry practitioners and business leaders; helping students better understand their possible growth trajectories through reviews and assessments. • Making students a part of the development of longterm strategic programs that require understanding business challenges from a fresh perspective, and building innovative solutions. • I nvesting in students’ ideas and providing comprehensive support for them to develop it into a full-fledged business • With remote work becoming a norm, setting up minioffices in campuses, so students are able to work & earn, while not worrying about compromising their studies While the internships were always a part of graduate and post-grad programmes, these have evolved significantly in many ways. At the student level, the traditional internships were largely aimed at gaining a stamped certificate, or being able to enlist a reputable name on the LinkedIn profiles but now the students understand that industry training opportunities are as close to real-life hands-on learning that they can get during their course time. At the company level, the students are no more menial task-drivers good enough for getting coffee and, getting photocopies and arranging documents. The students bring in energy, enthusiasm, a bunch of ideas and a willingness to go to the extra mile which helps ease of the burden from existing employees. The success of this partnership lie equally in the hands of an organization and a student. If this fails, the student suffers, and so does the company.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS AND WHY GLOBAL EXPOSURE IS IMPERATIVE FOR STUDENTS Shriyance Jain, Managing Director, University of Engineering and Technology Roorkee (UETR)

64 Shriyance Jain currently contributes to COER as its Managing Director. He is also the Managing Director of Texplas India Private Ltd., Haridwar. He had his initial schooling at DPS, Ranipur, Haridwar and later went to St. George’s Mussoorie and Le Rosey, Switzerland. After schooling, he continued at the University of Manchester for pre-engineering in Mechatronics and later shifted to Grenoble, France for International Business studies from the Grenoble Graduate School of Business (Ecole Superior de Commerce) and also from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), New Delhi.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Not only cultural diversity and globally recognisedformats, but technological diversity is equally important to understand

ndia, a country ranking high in the race of education, is endeavoring to reach the top-most rank in the sector while transforming the sector and integrating new advancements that give a tough competitive edge over international universities and standards of teaching. This process is followed by empowering students and providing them with a system that is more structured and equipped to support their career development. In a world where change is the only constant, the education system is understanding the norms of interacting with students and disseminating education the productive way. Educational institutions are realising the need to adapt to a diversity of cultures and redefine the way of teaching and learning. The current scenario is changing, thanks to the disruption caused by the pandemic and the impact of digitalisation. Distances have become minimal, leading to increased communication between

people from various walks of life. Thus, to match pace with the new-day system, it has become imperative to give the education sector a long due overhaul and revive the concept of “Think global; act local.” Idea behind think global; act local This statement has taken a very different shape in today’s context. For a student to be able to take their place in today’s world, (s)he needs to be conversant with people from all cultures, beliefs and countries around the globe. A person really needs the right form of exposure and understanding to be able to excel in this fast-paced and constantly diminishing world. Let us delve into the details of intercultural communication with an example. For instance, shaking hands is acceptable for a meet and greet in various western civilizations, but it becomes a major problem for a country like Japan. Without the right exposure through international education or educators,

Higher Education Digest November 2021

it might be challenging for students to learn these things by themselves. With “Think global and act local,” the modern-day aspirants understand the professional and cultural differences across the maps and learn to respect them by adopting a mutually acceptable way of communication and upholding the decorum along with their country’s integrity and rapport. The start of a new era The intercultural diversity and sensitivity is not enough to fuel one’s individuality or career development. It is equally important to understand the standard protocols, formats and prerequisites required to develop a skill set that is not only significant in India but across the seas as well. With India accounting for nearly 935 universities, 50 central universities, 409 state universities, 127 deemed universities, 349 private universities and 50,000 colleges and standalone institutions; it is wise for the education industry to ingrain new norms that reflect international acceptance. The global fellowship programs and tie-ups with Indian universities are helping students transcend the geographical factors and gain knowledge from across the globe. Ensuring a smooth transition for aspirants answering their calling by opting for their respective professions and careers post their schooling,

Higher Education Digest November 2021

international partnerships are aiding in supporting the potential pillars of Indian economy and safeguarding the future of the country. Global associations changing the landscape of Indian education The pandemic outbreak might have disrupted the education sector initially, but due to universities’ quick thinking and strategic development, institutions have paved a path that leads to growth. Many massive online open courses (MOOCs) are being available to the students these days, preventing any lag on their educational front and the professors and lecturers upgrading their skill sets to match the new way of teaching. Embracing innovative ways and breaking conventional barriers, international collaborations are acting as a tool of collective growth for all three parties, including university and mentors, the respective countries and students. The tech tale of progression Not only cultural diversity and globally recognised formats, but technological diversity is equally important to understand. With countries taking various technologies to best suit their living, students must be exposed to them early. Every country has something

to offer, exposure to which can work wonders for students. For instance, the USA is leading in terms of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, Germany is excelling in automotive technologies, Russia is far ahead in agricultural techniques. If students are given the first-hand opportunity to experience these technologies and do research and projects with universities globally, then their education will truly be complete as it will encompass the global nitty gritties and tactics to upskill their own country.

Educational institutions are realising the need to adapt to a diversity of cultures and redefine the way of teaching and learning

The Mixed Approach With the global knowledge blended well with local upskilling and scaling of the national economy, international alliances are carving a new road to growth for everyone. In this endeavour to help students achieve global thinking, universities are going for international collaborations with institutions or educators to help them get a wider viewing angle on life. Students will eventually establish themselves as proficient professionals, and their path may lead them to a place where they battle with different challenges. But with global endeavours supported by the universities, the students will most certainly be much better equipped to deal with whatever life throws at them. It’s the job of the educators to mould the students to make them independent, confident and self-sufficient and global associations empower institutions to do just that. International exposure: a stepping stone! The alliances focus on enhancing the talent of the students and sparking their uniqueness with globally accepted and admired norms. They encourage them to choose their pick from a diversity of programs and learn the inner workings of the industry. Helping students flourish in their respective domains and desired industries; the international affiliations are serving as a stepping stone for youth. International internships, global lectures with critically acclaimed institutions and veteran professors are working wonders in the education sector and empowering students like never before. Integrating a contemporary approach and fortifying the education industry, international partnerships, and global exposure are helping in shaping up the future of students. Developing their careers and preparing them to be competent professionals with financial stability with a hold in their industry, global affiliations and exposure is the key to mutual growth and success.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

MAKING YOUR LMS DO MORE WITH INTEROPERABILITY (LTI) Seethaprasad Mandikel, Founder & CEO, TriByte Technologies

68 Seethaprasad Mandikel is the founder and CEO of TriByte Technologies, a Bangalore (India) headquartered company, focused on developing a cutting-edge Interactive Learning Platform. Seethaprasad comes with 25 years of experience in building technologies for large scale deployment with the last 10 years focused on EduTech. He has grown TriByte from start-up to enterprise by providing white-labelled solutions for many marque customers serving millions of users in 25 countries and 3 continents. Prior to starting TriByte, he was part of the founding team of PI Corporation (later acquired by EMC) as Development Director.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

LTI and LTI Advantage are quickly evolving to support more heterogeneous platforms

nteroperability is defined as making different platforms from different providers integrate or interoperate with each other. To make the integration process standardized and secure, IMS Global, the institution which has developed other important standards like SCORM and QTI, also developed a standard for interoperability called the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard. The current version of LTI is 1.3. An LMS platform can integrate with one or more learning tools which is cloud hosted at a different location in a secure and standard manner without the need of custom programming. For example, an LMS platform can link to a video, interactive assessment or any learning material created by a compliant third-party vendor or partner and use that as learning material in its course structure. The LTI standard defines the confirmation of the authenticity of the tools with messages defined for

exchanging the grade and assignment data between the tool and the LMS. The integration process is as follows. To begin with, the LMS platform users are authenticated using OAuth2 and JSON Web Tokens, by the learning tool provider. The LMS platform provider passes on the contextual information for the user, such as the user’s unique identification and specific course or group context, to the learning tool. Once authenticated, users can seamlessly access the features and services offered by the learning tool provider. The learning tool provider is also responsible for sending back user activity and progress data back to the LMS platform. There are many benefits of LTI. 1. Smoother Integrations: It is easy to integrate a thirdparty tool and authenticate the platform users, access

Higher Education Digest November 2021

specific linked resources, and get access to data on user activities in the learning tool 2. Improved User Experience: By extending the capabilities of the LMS platform, it allows platform providers to provide new functionality to users in an efficient and speedy manner 3. Better Learning: By being able to integrate new capabilities into the platform and to be able to track learner activities in the integrated learning tools, platform providers can better influence learning outcomes. More recently, in 2019, an extension of LTI, called LTI Advantage, was released. It is a more secure standard and has improved privacy protection. LTI Advantage extends LTI v1.3 in three ways. 1. Names and Roles provisioning service: This service helps automate course enrollment into the learning tool and provides the LMS platform with reports on student activities performed within the learning tool. 2. Deep Linking: With this extension, course building is simplified. We can add deep links to content and to content playlists and tables of content. It allows the faculty to search and configure the learning tools in the learning tool repository environment and use in the LMS inside the course wherever required. 3. Assignment and Grade Services: Using this service, we can dynamically update scores and comments from the learning tool into the LMS grade book. The TriByte Learning Management System is LTI v1.3 compliant. We have several successful LTI integrations including authoring tools such as H5P, Cisco NetAcad and Google Assignments. Implementation of open standards like LTI 1.3 makes it possible for our customers to seamless access content repositories and tools to extend the capabilities of their solutions. In summary, LTI and LTI Advantage are quickly evolving to support more heterogeneous platforms, giving users enhanced functionality in the platforms they use. Content as LTI 1.3 service on cloud will soon evolve to a pay per use model removing the content repository barriers and allowing newer and creative ways of usage of content.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

HOW MARKETING AS A SUBJECT HAS EVOLVED OVER THE YEARS GAINING MOMENTUM AS IT PROGRESSES Varun Satia, Founder & CEO, Kraftshala

72 Varun Satia is the Founder and CEO of Kraftshala, India’s top marketing & sales learning platform. Strongly passionate about being an entrepreneur, after a successful corporate career, Varun followed his calling and founded Kraftshala in 2016. He firmly believes that the need for change in the education system in India led him into building Kraftshala. What was initially a passion project, catapulted into a well-rounded organization with over 100,000 members in its community, having facilitated programs for thousands of users thus far.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Marketing may constantly evolve as does the world

careful understanding of the evolution of marketing is important for developing sound marketing strategies and using the domain well in the current scenario. While the basic philosophy of marketing has always been to mobilize the resources of a brand in order to engage with as many customers as possible and in turn help the business’s overall revenue to skyrocket,the Marketing Models and how marketing has been carried out have continuously evolved over the last century, particularly rapidly in the last ten or fifteen years with the development of technology and the advent of the digital era. Let’s take a look at some of the evolutions in this field that have created a big impact: Let long format advertising work it’s magic Ten or so years ago when people heard the word “marketing”, they immediately thought of long, flashy

advertisements on television that they had no option but to sit through as they waited for the commercial breaks to end and for their favourite TV shows to resume. Old school marketers were determined to spread the message of their brand or advertise their products as far and wide as possible. Due to the limited targeting capabilities then, marketers would often put greater stock in the number of users that they reached as opposed to focusing solely on users who would view the advertisements and later be translated into tangible sales and revenue. Back then, the major marketing tactic was to create one perfect advertisement, choose specific running times for it and reuse the same clip throughout the year. Consumers would have to sit through half-aminute long videos that, most of the time, they had no interest in viewing. However, these days people rarely have the time or the patience for anything more than 5 or 6-second-long ads.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

The rise of personalisation in messaging & targeting. With the advent of technology which has led to the rise of digital platforms as well as the number of available consumer products increasing rapidly, marketers have been forced to think on their feet in order to appease their audiences and allow their products to stand out in a cut-throat competitive environment. The evolution of marketing in the digital age has led to a new school of thought which is known as precision marketing. The idea now is to focus on quality over quantity, by reaching a specific group of consumers by telling better stories that are tailored to their individual interests. Digital platforms have made it easier for marketers to identify their target audience by providing detailed information about their users and analyzing the aggregate data in order to create promotional content that adds real value to the brand. Knowing exactly when to Sell One of the keys to a successful marketing campaign in this day and age is to identify demand occasions for products. It’s the job of the research and marketing team to create a model user for their products and identify occasions when they’re most likely to buy these products. For example, the best time for a phone reselling app like Cashify to advertise themselves would be on occasions when users want to sell their old phones in order to buy new phones like during new launches of phone companies or year-end bonuses/salary hikes, etc.

Higher Education Digest November 2021

Building Trust & Relationships Earlier, traditional marketing majorly relied on print advertising, through mediums like newspapers, magazines, etc. The aim of good marketing was to add credibility to the brand by creating a solid and trustworthy presence in the market. Using celebrity influencers in order to attract consumers, while building trust. But nowadays, it is much more important to engage and build a strong relationship with the consumers which will evoke a sense of trust and later inspire loyalty in the consumers. Opening up digital channels in order to create a dialogue between the brand and the users has allowed brands to customize their offerings based on consumer interactions and feedback. Social media networks play a huge role in inducing loyalty in customers, and building personal relationships with them. As marketing gains momentum, brands are moving away from the concept of “any product can sell itself if it’s good quality” and honing down on the demands of the consumers. Long-term profit will be achieved if marketing is consumer-driven rather than productdriven. Therefore, marketing tends to coincide with market research and consumer engagement a lot more than it does with production or sales. Support a Social Cause & Stand for a Purpose. Most recently, brands are aligning themselves with social or environmental impact causes in order to reflect the concept of “societal marketing” which promotes sustainability and the needs of a society as a whole. For the long-term survival of a brand, acknowledging their impact on the environment and promoting their efforts to preserve natural resources are crucial to characterizing themselves as a compassionate and humanitarian enterprise. The overall model of marketing in the modern era has given birth to concepts like business development, client servicing, brand identity and strategy, etc. A good marketing strategy will make or break a brand’s reputation and standing, and in this digital age, brands must identify the role that social media and digital marketing channels like SEO, video, email, content, PPC, affiliations and more, play in loaning credibility and reach to their brand. Marketing may constantly evolve as does the world. While there has been disproportionate amount of evolution that has happened and has helped businesses leverage it and grow exponentially, at the very core its proposition will always remain to deliver a stellar experience for the end customer and solve the problem.

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