Higher Education Digest – December 2021 – India Edition – Law Colleges in India Special by Connecta Innovation

INDIA EDITION

MUST-WATCH LAW COLLEGES IN INDIA 2021

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FEATURING INSIDE

LAW COLLEGES

Dr. Lakshminarayana Yeluri Muzigal Dr. Munira Saheb Dattani Tickle Right

VIT-AP School of Law FEATURING INSIDE

Anmol Mathur Times Professional Learning Anupam Tomer School of Design Pearl Academy, Bengaluru Divya Tej Pereira Tutrrd Ganesh Kohli IC3 Institute

DECEMBER 2021

CHANGING THE DYNAMICS OF L AW EDUCATION

Nimish Gupta GenLeap RV Raghu Versatilist Consulting India Shahnaz Husain Shahnaz Husain Group Sumeet Bansal AnalytixLabs Vinay Sharma Convergia

Higher Education Digest December 2021

December 2021

Vol - 3 Issue - 15

Law Colleges special (India Edition) Head of Advisory Board Dr. Varughese K.John, PhD

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Anjana K Nikita Thakur

Navya Venkatesh Roshni Rajagopal Emma James

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Art & Design

Ajay K Das Manjunath R Rohith Poojary

Sales & Marketing

Arati Waghmare Suchithra S Anna Elza Reshma Ashokan Rupali Mohankar

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Higher Education Digest December March 2019 2021

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MANAGING EDITOR’S NOTE

The New Age of Legal Education

ociety is changing every day, and it gives legal professionals a plethora of opportunities to explore. Today, the legal field offers many jobs encompassing diverse skills, experience, and education. Developments in law and technology have also created new legal career opportunities. However, as with many other sectors, will COVID hit legal professionals? The answer is no. Experts believe that the legal sector has and will foresee a surplus of work. For instance, the disrupted economic waters will force legal teams to renegotiate contracts, refinance debts and deal with contractual breaches. Now, the pressure is on law colleges. In the wake of talent blooming and globalization of careers, law education providers need to break the barriers of traditional teaching methodologies and reinvent the system to suit the global scenarios. The teaching process of law in India has to shift from a fundamentally regional context to understanding

legal conversations of the world—through international law courses, comparative studies, and more. Further, to augment the global perspective of legal education, Indian law schools can bring international faculties on board, conduct exchange programs, send teachers and students to participate in international competitions and conferences. With over 1500 law schools in the country, it is hard for students to pick the best one that can guarantee them a prosperous career. To ease that burden, we have identified ‘10 Must-Watch Law Colleges in India’, which are continuously striving to produce excellent legal professionals. On the cover, we feature the School of Law, Bennett University that carries a vision to strive for excellence in teaching, research, and advocacy towards justice for all by shaping thought leaders in public policy of national and international dimensions. Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam

Higher Education Digest December 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.

Former Program Director, MS in Management Program, GSATM - AU

Mr. Sreedhar Bevara, MBA, B.Com

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 December 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)

Amazing Opportunity for Teachers and School Leaders to enhance their knowledge through FREE Teachers Academy masterclasses from international education experts !!! For more details and registration www.teachersacademy.com

Higher Education Digest December 2021

COVER STORY

SCHOOL OF L AW,

18 18 Higher Education Digest December 2021

BENNETT UNIVERSITY

CHANGING THE DYNAMICS OF L AW EDUCATION

C O N T E N T S

LAW COLLEGES

VIT-AP SCHOOL OF LAW Providing a Holistic Legal Edcuation to Future Global Lawyers

MENTOR’S MANTRA

Teachers need to have a thorough understanding of careers in order to provide the best career advice to their students

Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement and Chair, Board of Trustees, IC3 Institute

14 Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

48 10

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Beauty as a career option

Shahnaz Husain, Founder, Chairperson and Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group

Impact of digitisation on the edtech domain and the way forward

Anmol Mathur, VP & Head, Engineering & Technology, Times Professional Learning

Cloudy with great chance of success

RV Raghu, Director, Versatilist Consulting India Pvt Ltd; Member, ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group

Why both sides of the brain need to be synergized for holistic development

Dr Munira Saheb Dattani, Early Childhood Consultant, Co-founder & Chief Learning Officer, Tickle Right

The rise of online learning solutions

Divya Tej Pereira, Founder, Tutrrd

C O N T E N T S

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE Imparting education amid covid-19

Vinay Sharma, CEO & Director, Convergia (S. Chand company venture)

Why are aptitude tests important for children before choosing a career?

Nimish Gupta, Founder & Co- CEO, GenLeap

Data is the new oil - does a data science course improve career prospects?

Sumeet Bansal, CEO & Co-Founder, AnalytixLabs

68 72 11

ACADEMIC VIEW Role of music therapy in the education system

Dr Lakshminarayana Yeluri, Founder, Muzigal

Why ai is crucial for designers?

Anupam Tomer, Associate Professor, School of Design Pearl Academy, Bengaluru

Higher Education Digest December 2021

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Higher Education Digest February December2021 November 2021

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Higher Education Digest February 2021 November December

MENTOR’S MANTRA

TEACHERS NEED TO HAVE A THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING OF CAREERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THE BEST CAREER ADVICE TO THEIR STUDENTS Ganesh Kohli, Founder, IC3 Movement and Chair, Board of Trustees, IC3 Institute

14 Ganesh Kohli, Founder (International Career and College Counseling) IC3 Movement, India, Chair, Board of Trustees, IC3 Institute, President & Chief Mentor, KIC UnivAssist, Co-founder, The Aha Movement. Ganesh is a teacher, counselor, entrepreneur, and life-long learner who has founded, nurtured, and led multiple educationfocused organizations over the past 24 years. In his professional journey, Ganesh has visited 450+ universities across the world, personally guiding 4000+ students in making decisions about their higher education. With the vision of “counseling in every school”, Ganesh founded the IC3 Movement, which has reached 90+ countries and has 300+ volunteers across the globe.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

India is finally waking up to the fact that career counseling should be made compulsory in schools

ue to the pandemic and restrictions imposed on travel within their home countries and countries abroad, students’ higher education plans were thrown into disarray this year. Students need answers to questions as they make one of the most important decisions of their lives- what to study, where to study, and how to make it happen. This determines the potential for happiness, fulfilment and productivity for their entire lives. The 2021 IC3 Institute Student Quest Survey reveals that 82 percent of students surveyed agree that career consultation during school days is important while taking decisions regarding their higher education. 52 percent of respondents sought advice from career professionals, teachers, or counselors on career-related issues. The numbers speak for themselves- students

15 think career counseling is important. It is even more important for those who are not yet aware of the lack of it in their academic lives. Providing students this much needed support is more a necessity than a luxury now. Teachers as career counselors Students spend nearly a third of their day in school, and teachers have a significant impact on their lives. Teachers spend a lot of time with students, gaining knowledge of students’ interests, strengths, weaknesses, and capabilities, and have immense capacity to guide students in the right direction. By and large, most schools lack a career counseling infrastructure, not just in India, but globally. Letting the power of youth leave school unprepared for their future is by far the most pressing concern that schools need to deal with. India is finally waking up

Higher Education Digest December 2021

to the fact that career counseling should be made compulsory in schools. The findings of the 2021 IC3 Institute Student Quest Survey highlight the engagement of students with their school counselor. 54 percent of the students would like to meet the counselor at least once a month, against 29 percent of the respondents who are doing that now. While having a dedicated career counselor in every school is the eventual way forward, not every school is able to invest in the human resources needed to fulfil this need. If every teacher is able to become a 10% career counselor, and provide their students with the information and guidance they so urgently need, schools will be able to largely solve this issue. Not only does career counseling help students with information on colleges and careers, it also significantly improves learning outcomes when teachers are able to connect the world of academic learning to the world of careers, exciting students to the possibilities of careers connected to classroom knowledge. Along with the tips on the country, college, courses, and careers, teachers can take the students through the entire admission process and other formalities. Since parental preferences matter the most in the most crucial decision making for their wards, a school counselor or a teacher is also well placed to work with parents when helping students make informed decisions. But teachers need training in order to better guide their students. There are programs designed to provide teachers with the training and resources they need to meet the growing needs of students and parents in the classroom and beyond. In fact, through the IC3 Institute, teachers and schools are trained to become effective champions and advocates for the educational and professional future of their students. IC3 Institute also conducts a one-year certificate program in career and college counseling that is designed for full-time school counselors and teachers. The program is free of cost and delivered in four distinct one-week modules conducted in-person as well as virtually through online instruction; supplemented with self-study and online materials. Rapidly evolving career landscape: Career options have increased manifold in the recent past. Global competition, product innovation, process development, and advanced technology all

Higher Education Digest December 2021

School-level counseling goes a long way in eliminating confusion among students about the career options that match their personal and professional goals

have an impact on the types of jobs that students will find most valuable in the coming years. The skills required to succeed in today’s workforce are also evolving. With so many different courses and programmes to choose from, many students are unsure which path they should take. Many are completely unaware of the various options available to them. The findings of the 2021 IC3 Institute Student Quest Survey show that over 71 per cent of students think critically about future employment. Career prospects, courses, and colleges are the most critical components in pursuit of a future career. Passion for a career, opportunities for advancement, the glamour and excitement of the job, parental and peer pressure, all contribute to students’ confusion. Under these circumstances, informed career counseling comes to the rescue of the students and parents. School-level counseling goes a long way in eliminating confusion among students about the career options that match their personal and professional goals. The counseling enables them to explore multiple choices for their careers based on their respective academic backgrounds, capabilities, and interests. It is the school’s responsibility to ensure that their students receive expert guidance so that they do not make career decisions in the dark and can clearly define their goals based on their unique interests, abilities, and personal circumstances. The CBSE has made it mandatory for schools to have a career counseling wing. There has been a high demand for trained career counselors ever since. Since it is equally important for teachers to be aware of the plethora of career options available for students, they themselves need to have access to comprehensive training and resources to best guide their students. Way Forward In India and globally, career counseling for students has become an absolute necessity. Trained career counselors are in high demand. With teachers being the first level counselors for students, they need training and resources to help them upgrade their own skill set. Only then will they be able to effectively guide students to have access to resources and avenues that were unheard of a decade ago.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

COVER STORY

Higher Education Digest December 2021

SCHOOL OF L AW,

BENNETT UNIVERSITY CHANGING THE DYNAMICS OF L AW EDUCATION

Higher Education Digest December 2021

oday, career opportunities for graduating lawyers are not limited to assisting as junior advocates that pay little or nothing. The emergence of the corporate legal sector has been a game-changer. There are plenty of highpaying corporate jobs available at the end of the law course for fresh graduates. This abundance of opportunities has changed who applies to law schools, the choice of law schools, the educational experience at law schools, and how much students are willing to pay for legal education. One of the prominent institutes at the forefront of changing the dynamics of law education in India is the School of Law, Bennett University. Located in Greater Noida, Bennett University’s School of Law was set to contribute to the much-desired quality legal education. “With a group of dedicated academicians, we are focused on carving a niche for itself towards such a mission. This has been and will continue to be possible with the active participation of a motivated student community who are brimming with energy and are committed to walking the extra mile,” says Dr. Nuzhat Parveen Khan, Professor, and Dean, School of Law, Bennett University. School of Law, Bennett University carries a vision to strive for excellence in teaching, research, and advocacy towards justice for

Higher Education Digest December 2021

At School of Law, Bennett University, students undergo rigorous training through a series of moot court problems which complement the theoretical courses being taught in the corresponding semester

ABOUT

DR. NUZHAT PARVEEN KHAN DEAN OF SCHOOL OF LAW, BENNETT UNIVERSITY Dr. Nuzhat Parveen Khan is currently working as the Professor and Dean of, School of Law. She has more than thirty years of academic experience in a Central University, i.e., Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She has authored dozens of books on conflicting and contemporary legal issues. To name the few, Women and Child-Related Laws (LexisNexis India), Women and the Law, Child and the Law (Lexis Nexis India), Comparative Constitutional Law (Satyam Law International), Legal Control of Air Pollution: Problems and Perspectives (Metropolitan Book Company Pvt. Ltd.), Socio-Economic Offence (Central Law Publications), etc. Prof. Khan has contributed and presented modules on Jurimetrics for the UGC e-Pathshala Project at the graduate and postgraduate level. She has also authored study materials for various universities and colleges across the nation. Her Ph.D. on the topic ‘Air Pollution: Problem of Its Legal Control with Special Reference to NCT of Delhi, was awarded a publication grant by the Indian Council for Social Sciences Research, Ministry of HRD. It was published as a book accordingly. Prof. Khan has published more than 50 research papers in prestigious refereed and peerreviewed journals covering diverse areas of law. She is also a member of Governing Bodies, Academic Councils, and Executive Councils of various leading universities of India. Prof. Khan has held various academic and administrative posts viz. Dean, Faculty of Law, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, (2016-201); Chairperson (Law), National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language, MHRD; Chairperson, Internal Complaints Committee, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, Provost, Hall of Girls’ Residence, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi to name the few.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

all by shaping thought leaders in public policy of national and international dimensions. Bennett University campus offers the most modern campus facilities, including a learning resource center and spacious aesthetically designed libraries where students have access to books from renowned authors, national and international journals, e-learning resources. “School of Law has its own learning resource center, law library, and a state-ofthe-art Moot Court facility,” shares Dr. Parveen Khan. However, the COVID- 19 pandemic changed the course of teaching, learning, and all other law school activities. Dr. Nuzhat Parveen Khan explains, “We shifted to the online platform in academic and cocurricular activities. International and national conferences and webinars were organized with immense cooperation from faculty members and students living in different parts of the country.”

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Despite the hiccups caused by the pandemic, Bennett University’s School of Law students continued to organize online events like the legal aid essay writing competition. They also participated in external competitions like paper writing, moots, debates, client counseling, mediation, and other literary and cultural activities. “Faculty members also participated in several national and international conferences and conducted online lectures. There are inspiring strides that we have taken over the months before and amidst the pandemic in academics and extracurricular activities,” adds Dr. Parveen Khan. Transforming the Society through Legal Education School of Law, Bennett University currently offers three undergraduate programs in BBA-LLB (Hons) and BA-LLB (Hons) and 3-Year LLB (Hons), and a Postgraduate Program of Ph.D. The institute imbibes the

best practices of national and international law schools in terms of curriculum, pedagogy, innovation in teaching methods, and adding new interfaces. The school has constituted a 10-Member Board of Studies, comprising vice-chancellors at various national law universities and legal experts in the industry. Dr. Parveen Khan states, “The Programs offered are unique and have great relevance in the modern world of legal education. It provides the law students with holistic legal education sustainable in a competitive world.” All subjects taught at the School of Law are geared towards making students adept in all the important laws. Therefore, in five years, a student acquires skills to join the professions of their choice. Judiciary, JAG, and Civil Service may require additional examinations; however, most of the subjects taught in these exams

are covered during law school. “One may directly join the litigation or a corporate law firm after completing the degree. There is no other specialization required. Here, Moot Court is taught from the very first year. A student is required to research, draft and argue before the judges in the aesthetically built moot court at Bennet University. Similarly, students are trained in alternative methods of dispute resolution like mediation through workshops and practical training,” explains Dr. Parveen Khan. Bennett University’s School of Law has formed meaningful national and international collaborations. International Bridges to Justice, Indian Society for International Law, National Law School of India University, Bangalore, Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry are a few to name among them. This provides career development opportunities for students,

District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Gautam Buddh Nagar and the Legal Aid Clinic, School of Law, BU extended community outreach and creation of legal awareness in five villages of Gautam Buddh Nagar district

Higher Education Digest December 2021

builds workforce capability, and enhances innovation. Dr. Parveen opines, “collaboration between industry and academia is key to catalyzing innovation and growth in technology. Industry gains work-ready talent with specialist knowledge and practical training, and universities benefit by having opportunities to work on relevant technologies and challenging problems.” The Law School also undertakes extensive Research activities via its Six Research Centers: Centre for Law Technology & Innovation (CLTI), Centre for Post Graduate Studies (CPGS), Centre for Continuing Legal Education (CLE), Centre for Sustainable Development and Disaster studies (CSDDS), Centre for Social Sciences (CSS), Centre for Human Rights (CHR).

Higher Education Digest December 2021

School of Law, Bennett University organized international and national conferences and webinars with immense cooperation from faculty members and students living in different parts of the country

Faculty members at the School of Law, Bennett University, have years of teaching, research and practice experience. They have earned degrees from prestigious law colleges and universities from India and abroad. “Professors from reputed foreign universities also deliver lectures on specialized subjects. The lectures by industry experts are also a regular feature at the campus or virtually,” shares Dr. Parveen Khan. The Making of Complete Legal Professional School of Law at Bennett University buzz with a variety of student activities. One such initiative is the formulation of the ‘Student Bar Council,’ which consists of various student committees like Literary & Debating Committee, Media & Public Relations committee, Legal Research Committee, Placement & Internship Committee, Moot Court Committee, among others. Such activities ensure that the school’s legal students excel academically and shine in other out of the classroom activities. Besides, The Bennett Hatchery provides an exciting co-working collaborative atmosphere for budding entrepreneurs. In fact, Bennett University is committed to providing a nurturing environment for their holistic development. “With a firm belief that a sound mind resides in a sound body, sports and extracurricular activities instill values of teamwork, impart problem-solving skills, and develop character. Keeping this in mind and committed to the overall well-being and growth of students, we offer plenty of opportunities to our students to participate in activities outside

Higher Education Digest December 2021

26 the classroom,” says Dr. Parveen Khan. The university has established a well-equipped modern sports complex that offers students plenty of outdoor and indoor sports opportunities. It includes an air-conditioned indoor Gym, Squash court, Badminton court, Basketball court, Swimming pool, Outdoor Football field, Lawn tennis court, Cricket ground, and Volleyball court. Special training programs are organized by nationally acclaimed coaches from various sports throughout the year, which keeps the campus abuzz with life and excitement. Recreational activities, regular practice sessions, tournaments, scrimmage matches are a part of regular student life at the campus, providing a high-spirited atmosphere of growth and learning. Apart from all this University campus has several recreational areas, Food eateries, convenience stores, and ATM. The university’s medical center is 8 bedded with a full-time doctor on campus with nursing staff and connections with nearby big hospitals. Bennett University also offers admission scholarships that will be awarded for the first year of the undergraduate program. The decision for this scholarship is based on the scores of the candidate in qualifying examinations such as 10+2 score or CLAT scores or LSAT - India percentile

Higher Education Digest December 2021

score. Thereafter, the student will be eligible for Academic Scholarships as outlined in the next section. Dr. Parveen Khan explains, “The Bennett University Academic Scholarships are designed to encourage and reward meritorious performance consistently through the duration of the program. The Academic Scholarships will be awarded based on CGPA at the end of each year.” School of Law, Bennett University now aims to expand its research and publication records and has developed unique research centers. Further, the school seeks to venture into LLM Programmes and Diploma Courses to diversify its basket of courses. “We also aim to provide professional training to our students through career enhancement webinars. Plans to enter several collaborations with international and national organizations, universities, and libraries for wider exposure to our students and faculty are also in the pipeline,” shares Dr. Parveen Khan. Postpandemic, School of Law, Bennett University will try to continue a flexible learning and teaching model with emphasis on knowledge building and the use of appropriate technologies. Further, the school would be following all the protocols for the safety of our faculty and students.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

ROLE OF MUSIC THERAPY IN THE EDUCATION SYSTEM Dr Lakshminarayana Yeluri, Founder, Muzigal

28 Lakshminarayana Yeluri is a musician by passion, and businessman by choice. He is the founder of Muzigal, a digital-first marketplace set out to transform online music education worldwide. He started with a meal joint and a food truck during his college days. Soon after his graduation, he became a trader in dental materials at his hometown Vizag. He moved to Hyderabad in 2007 to build scalable business models, and the first among these was Impel Overseas in Study abroad consulting, which he grew to a national brand in less than three years. Since 2007 Dr. Lakshmi has built 10 businesses in the unorganized b2b and b2c segments. One of the notable brands he has created is Studio 11 salon & Spa, with over 150 salons across India.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Today, music therapy is an acknowledged form of expressive arts therapy, and it uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals

hen William Congreve wrote, in his 1697 work ‘The Mourning Bride’, that “Music hath charms to soothe a savage breast, to soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak.” he was not indulging in a flight of poetic fancy but recording an essential truth. He is in fact believed to have borrowed the idea from the Romans. Indeed, ancient civilizations, be it in Rome, Egypt, or closer home in India, have long recognized the therapeutic qualities of music, while extolled its many virtues and stirring facets. Closer in time, it was during the First World War that the power of music as a therapeutic tool came to be recognized, following the effects it was observed to have on wounded soldiers, who were exposed to musicians during and after the years of conflict. Doctors and clinicians saw first-hand the powerful influence it had on the healing process and recommended professional

musicians were hired by hospitals to serve that particular purpose. This created an awareness of the need for specialized training in the appropriate delivery of music as a therapeutic method, from which point it then grew. Since then, much time, effort and expense have been devoted to developing this area of specialization, with more and more universities including it in their curricula, extending to both research and application. Today, music therapy is an acknowledged form of expressive arts therapy, and it uses music to improve and maintain the physical, psychological, and social well-being of individuals. It embraces, within this description, a range of activities, including listening to music and playing musical instruments, as well writing and rewriting lyrics, composing and singing. Seen to affect several regions of the brain, including those involved in cognition, emotion, movement and sensation, music has increasingly been employed to treat

Higher Education Digest December 2021

a broad spectrum of physical and psychological conditions – ranging from depression, anxiety and insomnia to schizophrenia, dementia and Alzheimer’s. It is also used to create environments that nurture positive development in settings as diverse as schools, hospitals and correctional facilities. It is not, by any means, only those seeking to address physical or psychological issues who can benefit from the wondrous powers of music. From young children to senior citizens, all members of society stand to gain from the salubrious influence of music, especially those who choose to play an instrument themselves. Skills developed in art education often transfer to other areas of life and professional work. Art education offers a more open approach and celebrates the culture differences. Art education exposes to a creative side; they provide mental, emotional, and educational benefits -- and more. Importance of arts education in the school years Arts Immersion can be a method of lifelong learning as well as a model used in K-12 settings, for preparing students for their college lives and further studies. Role of schools to connect the experiences of life outside the classroom to the learnings inside the school. New age learning models of arts education An immersive art education initiative, imparts awareness, education and knowledge about music through interactive online classes Access to experienced music gurus and high-quality teachers in a few clicks. Wide range of music learning from instrumental to vocal in classical, Western and popular genres. Need for balance between academics and other activities in student life A healthy balance of academics and extracurricular activities is key to a successful college experience. Imbalance causes poor performance in one area but can lead to stress and anxiety in both. The disciplined, structured practice that playing music demands, reinforces those brain

functions, permitting musicians to apply that strength to other activities. Playing music also combines the linguistic and mathematical precision involving the left hemisphere of the brain with the novel and creative content the right hemisphere drives. These factors lead to an increase in volume and activity in the brain’s corpus callosum, which connects the two hemispheres, permitting messages to travel across the brain faster and through more diverse routes.

A healthy balance of academics and extracurricular activities is key to a successful college experience

These scholarly findings apart, learning to play (and playing) an instrument, has more easily discernible benefits, especially for younger members of society in the formative years of their lives. Making music, whether alone or in a band, choir or orchestra, inculcates habits of patience, discipline and dedication. It engenders positive feelings of confidence and self-esteem, contributes to the development of higher IQ, greater creativity and better memory. Senior citizens, too, stand to gain from the boons of music – and it is never too late to learn how to play – as research shows that several agerelated illnesses can be kept at bay by simply setting free, through nuance and practice, the song of the soul that resides in each instrument. All of which leads us to conclude — whether we concur or not with Shakespeare’s Count Orsino, on music being the food of love — that we must wholeheartedly exhort all musicians, old and young alike, to play on.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

BEAUTY AS A CAREER OPTION Shahnaz Husain, Founder, Chairperson and Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group

32 Shahnaz Husain, Founder, Chairperson and Managing Director of the Shahnaz Husain Group, who, herself took the Indian herbal heritage across the globe and has received international acclaim for pioneering the Herbal beauty care movement and taking the Indian herbal heritage of Ayurveda worldwide. Her brand is the first Herbal care and cure clinic brand in India to now own over 400 franchises over the world. In 2006, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the Government of India for her contribution to the fields of trade and industry.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

A minimum school leaving certificate is enough to launch into vocational beauty training, yet it gives the opportunity to complete courses right up to an advanced level and also go into related fields

oday, the beauty world is one of the most exciting places to be in, because it has tremendous scope for growth. Along with the demand for beauty care, the need for professionally trained beauty therapists is also increasing. The beauty business is booming. Branding, speciality skills, specialized services and niche products are popular, especially at high end salons. Another new trend is that salons are also offering spa treatments. Beauty product sales counters are opening in malls and department stores. These require trained personnel too. For example, the sales representatives at our counters are trained in herbal products and on advising customers. They also have basic beauty training. Make-up artists and hairstylists are in demand in the fashion industry, television and film industry. Different

33 make-up services are also offered by beauty parlours. Bridal Make-up, for instance, is one of the popular services being offered nowadays. Beauty Diploma Courses include Hairstyling and Make Up for different occasions. A minimum school leaving certificate is enough to launch into vocational beauty training, yet it gives the opportunity to complete courses right up to an advanced level and also go into related fields. With the “back to nature” and “total well being” trends that have influenced the beauty world over the past few decades, organic products have become the rage. Formulations made with organic plant products are purer, free from chemicals and richer in nutrients, i.e. they are richer in vitamins, minerals, trace elements, enzymes, etc. Organic products also have specific curative and beneficial properties that actually enhance the beauty of the skin and hair. An

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The beauty business offers many career avenues

Higher Education Digest December 2021

important advantage is the element of safety. Synthetic preparations and chemical ingredients, on the other hand, can cause allergic and irritative reactions. They can also cause a build-up of toxins in the system, over a period of time. Our beauty courses highlight these aspects and provide natural solutions for beauty care, in keeping with our concept of “herbal care and cure.” Career prospects in the beauty business have never been brighter. Today, vocational training is the need of the hour. In the beauty business too, the days of apprenticeship training are over. Now it is essential to get comprehensive professional training. The beauty business offers many career avenues. A minimum school leaving certificate is enough to launch into vocational beauty training, yet it gives the opportunity to complete courses right up to an advanced level and also go into related fields. One can be an entrepreneur and start one’s own beauty parlour in a small way, even in one’s own home, with less capital investment. Or, work as Beauty Therapists, Masseurs, Hairstylists, Make-up Artists and so on. One can also occupy positions such as Salon / Spa Managers, Beauty Advisers, Cosmetic Consultants, Product Consultants, Freelance beauticians or make-up artists, or even a Beauty School Teacher. The training certainly opens up an entire vista of opportunities. It is advisable to join a Diploma Course to start with and then do advanced courses in Hairstyling, Makeup, Laser therapy, etc. The course should comprise of both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It should also include Business Management, Salon Management and Client Handling, which provides the option of starting your own salon and becoming an entrepreneur. Today, courses are available in Skin Therapy, Hair Design, Hair Styling and Cutting, Make-up and Aesthetics, Aromatherapy, Dhara and Kerala Massage, Nail and Body Art, Yoga, etc. A Personal Grooming Course for self-improvement is also available, as well as several short-term courses. While short-term Certificate courses may be for one or two months duration, Diploma and Post Graduate courses may take 4 to 8 months. Today, Beauty Therapy is extremely advanced, with high growth potential. Along with the growth of the beauty industry, professional vocational training in beauty has also moved into a crucial phase of growth, with upgraded syllabus and curriculum, in keeping with international standards and latest trends in beauty care.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

LAW COLLEGES

ood communication skills – both oral and written – are the obvious talents needed for a legal professional. However, legal industry veterans consider logical reason as the most important skill that a law aspirant needs to have. The professionals in this sector need to look at matters objectively and come to their own conclusions at the end of every case that they deal with. In nutshell, if you are smart, presentable and not afraid to put forward

your opinion, the law is a career you should consider! In India, however, choosing law as a career is not the end of the discussion. Every aspirant must be careful while choosing a law school. To help the learners of law, we have identified ‘10 Must-Watch Law Colleges in India,’ which are offering excellent legal education and support their students reach the heights of the judicial system in the country. We believe that our efforts will help the young Indians who are in search of quality legal education.

Army Institute of Law

IMS Law College

Location: Mohali, Punjab

Website: www.ail.ac.in

Website: www.imslawcollege.com

Year of Establishment: 1999

Year of Establishment: 2004

About College

Army Institute of Law is affiliated to the Punjabi University, Patiala and approved by the Bar Council of India. With ‘Aspire & Achieve’ as its motto, the Institute has grown as a Centre of Excellence in the field of legal education.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

IMS Law College is approved by Bar Council of India, recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC) and affiliated to the Chaudhary Charan Singh University Meerut.

Jindal Global Law School

K.L.E Society’s Law College

Location: Sonipat, Haryana

Location: Bangalore, Karnataka

Website: www.jgu.edu.in

Website: www.klelawcollege.org

Year of Establishment: 2009

Year of Establishment: 1975

About College

JGLS is committed to providing global legal education to its students. To fulfil this objective, the curriculum and pedagogy is designed to give extensive exposure to students to domestic, international and comparative law courses.

K.L.E Society’s Law College is recognized by the Bar Council of India and is affiliated to the Karnataka State Law University, Hubli. The college offers along with Undergraduate programs, various certificate and diploma courses and operates in a modern, well-equipped campus located Bangalore.

KIIT School of Law

Lloyd Law College

Location: Bhubaneswar, Odisha

Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Website: www.law.kiit.ac.in

Website: www.lloydlawcollege.edu.in

Year of Establishment: 2007

Year of Establishment: 2003

About College

KIIT School of Law offers five years integrated course in BA LL.B., BBA LL.B. and BSc LL.B. with Honors specialization in different areas of law; LL.M. and PhD.

Lloyd Law College offers five years integrated course in B.A LL.B and 3 years LL.B course with specialisation in different areas of Law. The college has also been working on many research programmes that aim to influence policy formulation in the area and also influence legal reformation.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Saveetha School of Law

School of Law, Bennett University

Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Location: Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Website: www.saveethalaw.com

Website: www.bennett.edu.in/academics/school-of-law/

Year of Establishment: 2009

Year of Establishment: 2016

About College

Siddharth College of Law

VIT-AP School of Law

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra

Location: Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh

Website: www.sclmumbai.in

Website: www.vitap.ac.in/school-of-law/

Year of Establishment: 1956

Year of Establishment: 2007

About College

With its academic autonomy together with flexibility for innovation in teaching in pursuant of excellence, Saveetha School of Law is striving to emerge as one of the Best Institutions in the field of Legal education. our journey has been remarkable and has grown in leaps and bounds in every possible angle.

Invested and promoted by the largest media enterprise in India, the Times of India Group, which is a natural ally in voicing people rights, School of Law is established with a vision to educate and train the future thought-leaders in the field of Law.

Siddharth College of Law is affiliated to the University of Mumbai. The college was formed with a vision to spread legal education amongst all sections of society. Itis housed at the Anand Bhavan which has been declared as a heritage structure by the Heritage society of the MMRDA.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The VIT-AP School of Law (VSL) is established as part of VIT-AP University. VSL imparts quality legal education with a robust curriculum that prepares students for future legal challenges.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

LAW COLLEGES

VIT-AP SCHOOL OF LAW PROVIDING A HOLISTIC LEGAL EDCUATION TO FUTURE GLOBAL LAWYERS

ovid-19 has forced universities across India, and the world indeed, to suspend physical classrooms and shift to online classes. In India, while this transition has been smooth for most private universities, the public ones are still adapting. There have also been debates on the nature of classes, and the future of examination and evaluation — whether they could be conducted online or not. While faculty grapples with new ways of managing this sudden transition to online education, students are left clinging to their mobile phones and computer screens. The pandemic outbreak has opened the doors to the virtual world and made educational institutions opt for online classes. VIT-AP School of Law (VSL) took this opportunity and made the best use of resources to train their students. They roped in world-renowned personalities and brought them to close contact with the student community through lectures, discussions, and interactions. The students got to interact with a world-class legal professional such as judges of International Court of Justice, Members of International Law Commission, Professors of Foreign universities and Legal experts from reputed legal firms and organizations, points out Dr. S.V. Kota Reddy, ViceChancellor, VIT-AP University.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Approved by the Bar Council of India (BCI), the VIT-AP School of Law aims to impart quality legal education and a robust curriculum that prepares students for future legal challenges

Higher Education Digest December 2021

A Practical Approach to Legal Education VIT-AP School of Law (VSL) established as part of VIT-AP University, near Vijayawada, VSL is established to impart quality legal education with a robust curriculum that prepares students for future legal challenges. The main objective is to promote global legal professionals with a passion for the ideals of social justice. VSL has got impressive infrastructure with a wide range of facilities. Law Students can have an opportunity to work with and learn from engineering faculty while studying law particularly issues relating to Law and Technology, Cyber Security Law, Blockchain Technology, Machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Data protection. “With our moot court, legal aid clinics, human rights clinic, digital and data clinics, environmental clinics and intellectual property rights clinics, our students get an opportunity to work with experienced faculty and advocates in solving real-time legal problems and providing solutions as well,” adds Dr. Benarji Chakka, Dean, VIT-AP School of Law. VSL offers BA, LL.B (Hons) and BBA, LL.B (Hons) five years integrated degree programs, and a Ph.D. full-time research Program. The unique aspect of the Law programs is the curriculum, it is a fully flexible system and students are getting to opt for courses that they are interested to study. They also offer a specialization honors program which includes, international law, commercial and corporate law, intellectual property law, criminal law, constitutional law, technology law, and the law relating to public

The moot court hall at VIT-AP School of Law has been designed to give the best experience to the students of the workings of a real courtroom

Higher Education Digest December 2021

ABOUT

DR. S.V. KOTA REDDY, VICE-CHANCELLOR

Dr. S. V. Kota Reddy is a veteran academician & administrator with more than 30 years of teaching, research & administrative experience. He joined VIT – AP family on 16th November 2020. Previously he worked as Academic President at Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Dubai Campus. Under his able leadership, MAHE Dubai secured a 5 Star Rating in the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rating framework with heighest points among the participating Universities in Dubai, U.A.E.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

ABOUT

DR. CLV SIVA KUMAR, REGISTRAR

Dr. CLV Sivakumar, with a perfect blend of passion and dedication, has been with the VIT group of institutions for several years. He has served in many administrative positions in VIT University including Convenor-University Students’ Disciplinary Enquiry Committee, Chief Warden of University Men’s Hostels, Dy. Director of University Hostels and University Special Officer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce; a Bachelor’s Degree in Law; a Master’s in Personnel Management and a Master’s in Law. Constitutional Law and Administrative Law are his areas of specialization at the Master’s level. He received Ph.D. in the area of Election Laws and Election Crimes. He has been teaching for the past 26 years. He has published several Research papers in journals of National and International repute in the areas of Law and Management. He has participated and presented research papers in 40 national and international Seminars and Conferences. Law and Public Policy are his areas of interest.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

With a fast-growing 200 acre campus in the heart of Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh, VIT-AP provides a comfortable and vibrant life on campus

services and social justice. “Along with it, students are made to choose independent guided research during their studies to enhance the skills for legal research and the legal profession,” says Dean, VSL. VSL offers two scholarship programs: GV Merit Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who stood as a board topper in the qualifying examination (+2, PUC/ Intermediate) across the country. The awardee will get a 100 percent scholarship for all the years of the degree program. Tmt. Rajeswari Ammal Merit Scholarship, this scholarship is awarded to a topper in a qualifying examination (+2/PUC/Intermediate) at a district level. The awardee will get a 50 percent fee concession for all the years of studies. If a topper is a girl student, she will get the additional benefit of 25 percent, added Dr. CLV Sivakumar, Registrar, VIT-AP University.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

DR. PROF. BENARJI CHAKKA, DEAN , VIT-AP SCHOOL OF LAW

Dr. Benarji Chakka is scholar of international law, specialised in International Aviation Law, International Space Law and International Humanitarian Law. He has rich experience in working with international organisations, universities abroad and reputed National Law University in India. He worked with the International Committee of the Red Cross (based in Geneva) as Regional Legal Adviser for South Asia and advised governments, military, paramilitary forces, state and non-state actors and academic decision makers. As A Legal Advisor to ICRC he has extensively visited South Asian countries and advised universities in implementation of International humanitarian Law in Higher Education curriculum. With this vast work experience in international organisation he has moved to academics and started his career a s Lecturer at National University of Ireland, Galway. Where he has taught several subjects of law and developed new ideas in legal pedagogy and introduced them to the students. Further he moved to National Law University and Judicial Academy, Assam as academics and as administrator. During his tenure he developed new courses and introduced them to the students at undergraduate and postgraduate level. He further worked as a Dean of reputed private law schools in India and joined VIT-AP University as a founding Dean to start a Global Law School. He Was a British Chevening Scholar at School of Oriental And African Studies, University of London. He attended prestigious courses at Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research offered by the Harvard University and specialisation course in International Criminal Law, Human Rights and Humanitarian

Law at the Syracuse International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights, Siracusa, Italy.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

47 Shaping Industry Leaders of Tomorrow VSL aims to bridge the gap between law schools and the legal industry. To do that, they have entered to Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with several top-class legal firms of the country. In the very first year, 5 MoUs have been signed with prestigious law firms and organizations in the Country and several other MoUs and academic collaborations are in progress. VSL has achieved a very good reputation in a very short period and an engineering outgoing batch of students have secured placements in top-class organizations. Keeping the tradition alive, VSL is preparing students to be industry ready by having close association and handson work placements with legal firms, think tanks, legal aid clinics, district and state legal services authorities, and conducting boot camps for Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADRs). “We encourage students to have the sound legal and technical knowledge to excel in their legal career by participating in events which are organized by local, national, and international competitions,”, says Dean, Dr. Benarji Chakka VSL believes in the overall growth of students and they must have a very brilliant and vibrant student life

beyond academics. To promote sustainable students life at the campus, VSL in collaboration with the Students Welfare Department and Student Activity center host various events. The university has more than 75 student clubs and chapters, which include, Model United Nations Club, Cultural Club, Literary Club, Debating Club, Spic Macy Club, and many others. “These cultural centers promote overall development and collegiality among the students’ community to make them better citizens and make student life a memorable and enriching one”, says Dr. CLV Sivakumar, Registrar, VIT-AP University A global pandemic has few silver linings, but for higher education, it has been an opportunity to show that universities can adapt rapidly. Continuing to deal with the pandemic and promoting a safe, secure, and covidfree campus, VSL encourages all the students and staff to be vaccinated and follow the protocols laid out by the government diligently while visiting the campus. “We are now promoting the students to visit the campus to have a real campus life without compromising the Covid rules. Students have to start with normal regular life at the campus for that purposes we are taking steps to allow students in a staggered manner,” concludes Dr. Reddy.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

IMPACT OF DIGITISATION ON THE EDTECH DOMAIN AND THE WAY FORWARD Anmol Mathur, VP & Head, Engineering & Technology, Times Professional Learning

48 Anmol Mathur is an entrepreneurial-spirited, pioneering technologist with business acumen and 20+ years of experience of working in the domain of Information Technology (IT) encompassing roles of a CTO, an IT business head, VP IT Development working in IT operations, IT transformation, change management and program management in Media and Banking Industry. He has a domain expertise in IT, System Architecture/ Infrastructure design, full project life cycle management, client/vendor relationship management, and financial/ operational management, P&L responsibilities of 25+ Crore Revenue and working across geographies and multiple departments.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The digitalisation of learning has important long-term consequences in the democratisation of education and skill development, which will continue to spur the growth of edtech in the country

he edtech industry played a pivotal role in maintaining the continuity of education during the pandemic as countries witnessed multiple lockdowns that drastically affected businesses and economies equally. The disruptive changes brought by technology was a key to promulgating the growth of the edtech industry. It is one of the few domains that witnessed an impressive growth during the pandemic, bucking the trend of an otherwise recessive economy, brought by a surge of enrolment in online learning, boosting revenues and investments. According to data by the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA) and PGA Labs, Indian edtech startups witnessed a total investment of USD 2.22 billion in 2020. This is a massive increase compared to USD 553 million in 2019.

49 Artificial intelligence (AI), augmented and virtual reality (AR and VR), machine learning, and blockchain have enhanced systems to make online learning effective. The capability of these advanced technologies to automate basic classroom activities such as queries, feedback, and evaluation is helping improve the overall experience of users, further fuelling the edtech boom. The digitalisation of learning has important long-term consequences in the democratisation of education and skill development, which will continue to spur the growth of edtech in the country. As edtech has emerged as a major disruptive factor in the education sector, through this article, we shall factor its impact to democratise education, enhance skill development and the road ahead.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Democratisation of Education The National Education Policy (NEP 2020) emphasizes investing in the creation of open, interoperable, evolvable, and digital infrastructure in the education sector that can be used by multiple platforms and point solutions. It is pertinent to address the issue related to scalability, device penetration, and internet access while furthering the availability of regional language content and software development for smart devices, that will lead to the accessibility of high-quality education for its young learners across India. The edtech sector is working towards achieving NEP’s goals by helping bridge this gap. Digital education platforms are developing innovative solutions to enable offline access to online resources, facilitating access to learning content and virtual classrooms, both online and offline, for learners from regions where internet connectivity is intermittent. The world is witnessing the emergence of low-cost e-learning resources and the expansion of existing digital platforms to meet the challenges related to adaptability, data privacy and the ever-evolving skill needs of the industry. These developments are leading to the growth of the edtech industry, whose market size is currently about USD 700-800 million. With the increase in investments and higher accessibility to resources, the market size is set to reach USD 30 billion in the next 10 years. Skill Development Workplaces have started hiring employees with new skills, such as data analysis, coding, innovation, problemsolving, communication, leadership, crisis management, and digital and media literacy. Edtech platforms are helping students build these skills by adopting strategies such as industry-specific learning, gamification, and interactive assessments, opening pathways to alternative education and skilling opportunities regardless of their location, background, and age. Apart for educational institutions, edtech has made its presence in the corporate world as establishments looked to invest in upskilling and reskilling of their employees. They aim to help their workforce grow in their current roles, adapt to new-age technologies and, thus, bring added value to the organisation. The structure of edtech offerings does not only remove barriers of geography but is also useful in imparting corporate skills to executives through online courses and capstone projects. The project work exposes them to scenarios that help them navigate business issues

Higher Education Digest December 2021

effectively and develop competencies for the actual corporate ecosystem, from home or office. Moreover, the virtual experience is cost-effective and flexible, and is, thus, suitable for small and medium-sized companies. Way Forward In years to come, the growth of edtech industry is expected to be driven by K12, higher education, vocational education, executive training, and upskilling. An increased focus on self-paced learning, better accessibility and continuous learning via professional courses will drive innovations in the learning content and delivery. Digital platforms will continue to remain focused on providing more customised and personalised learning experience backed by data driven intelligence. Further, a large population with differing needs across cities, languages, cultures, and income groups present an opportunity for ongoing disruption and has potential for multiple edtech players. The outlook combined with demonstrated impact so far will ensure that the funding ecosystem will continue to support the growth of the edtech sector post-COVID. The edtech industry has witnessed impressive growth despite the pandemic enforced lockdowns and led to higher technology penetration, increased funding and favourable government policies. Despite exponential growth, the edtech sector still grapples with infrastructure constraints owing to low-end devices and poor connectivity. To overcome these challenges edtech platforms and their stakeholders should build a range of better-optimised hyper-local resources and innovative products.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

CLOUDY WITH GREAT CHANCE OF SUCCESS RV Raghu, Director, Versatilist Consulting India Pvt Ltd; Member, ISACA Emerging Trends Working Group

52 R.V. Raghu is Director and Co-founder of Versatilist Consulting India Pvt. Ltd., which provides consulting, training and auditing services in information security, IT service management, business continuity and enterprise risk management. Raghu has more than a decade and a half of extensive, hands-on, global experience across various verticals, such as engineering, manufacturing, IT, ITeS, BFSI, chemicals, mining and telecom. He has provided training, consulting and implementation support for establishing management systems compliant to ISO international standards and other frameworks, such as CMMI and COBIT.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Cloud-based products, services and solutions are slowly morphing into an ecosystem model which is opening the industry to both direct and indirect career opportunities

he pandemic has laid the groundwork for increased cloud computing adoption and all trends indicate the same is set to continue into 2022 and beyond, now that both consumers and enterprises have had a taste of the cloud’s myriad possibilities. It is valuable for IT professionals and students to not only understand these cloud trends and educate themselves in cloud fundamentals, but to also take steps to leverage the opportunities in this space to advance their careers. Per IDC research, enterprise cloud investment, both public and private, climbed 34.4% year over year, while non-cloud IT spending fell 8%. Cost and convenience are probably two key factors contributing to increased cloud adoption. It is also true that end customer devices these days come bundled with cloud access and storage, making it easier to not only increase

53 storage but also to share photos and other content. The pandemic has led to customers increasingly using streaming services and other cloud-based services for entertainment, gaming, music, and other purposes, further increasing cloud exposure. On the enterprise side, all it takes is a few clicks of the button on a web browser to set up and enable collaboration, connection, and a seamless work environment, no matter where one is based. Cloud adoption is accelerating across public, private and hybrid clouds, irrespective of models such as infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS), and software as a service (SaaS), as well as other emerging models such as data as a service (DaaS) and API as a service. In what is also becoming a classic case of “a rising tide lifting all boats,” this is leading to an all-round increase in all things cloud and cloud

Higher Education Digest December 2021

related. According to predictions from Gartner, global spending on cloud services is expected to reach over US $482 billion in 2022, up from US $313 billion in 2020. Now what does this mean to you as a professional or even a student? To put it simply, it means opportunities galore. Cloud-based products, services and solutions are slowly morphing into an ecosystem model which is opening the industry to both direct and indirect career opportunities. As a professional or a student, you can take advantage of this explosive growth in multiple ways. Here are five things that you can do today: 1. Shed the novice tag: This is probably the simplest thing to do. You can learn about various cloud products and services with many courses offered by leading cloud service providers such as Google, Microsoft, AWS, Oracle, etc. for free or at a nominal cost. Many of these courses cover the gamut from beginner to advanced, providing an overview of the cloud landscape, the various technologies, and products and services. These courses also come with accompanying certificates which can instantly add value to your CV with ISACA’s Cloud Fundamentals Certificate enabling learners in building understanding of cloud computing principles, concepts, governance and service support through a hybrid learning approach with a stackable certificate as a bonus.

2. Dive deeper: Once you are familiar with the basics, you can dive deeper into cloud technologies by choosing to specialize in cloud technologies such as computing,

Higher Education Digest December 2021

storage, and networking, which can give you a much-needed boost as you step into your career or help you make that shift into the cloud space if you are a professional already in the field. 3. Explore related technologies: As you dig deeper you may find yourself naturally drawn to specific technologies layered on the cloud such as the Internet of Things (IoT), or serverless architecture, containerization, AI, and edge computing, and you can choose to specialize in any of these areas. Specializing in these areas and technologies will give you both a vertical and horizontal view of the domain, making it that much easier to work in these technologies in diverse industry sectors.

Despite all the progress, one area that remains and will continue to remain an area of focus is that of cloud security

4. Focus on security: Despite all the progress, one area that remains and will continue to remain an area of focus is that of cloud security. Traditional issues of data theft, leakage, and privacy challenges, which have plagued IT systems, remain relevant in the cloud as well. Cloud security has become critical for other reasons as well, including rising regulation (e.g. GDPR), and poor understanding of cloud security—especially on the customer side—making the need for cloud security professionals all the more important. 5. Specialize: Apart from courses specific to the basics of the cloud technology stack, you can also become knowledgeable in areas such as cloud governance, risk management, and audit. Credentials such as CCAK (Certificate of Cloud Auditing Knowledge) offered by ISACA and CSA (Cloud Security Alliance) covering aspects such as auditing of the cloud can also be considered. This can be a great option, especially if you are already in the technology space and understand cloud and related technologies, but want to play a bigger role in how your enterprise uses and adopts cloud technologies. So, what are you waiting for? This is probably the one time when a “cloudy” outlook is welcome and even something that should be taken advantage of. Take a cue from the latest trends in cloud and let the learning—and career advancement—begin today!

Higher Education Digest December 2021

ACADEMIC VIEW

WHY AI IS CRUCIAL FOR DESIGNERS? Anupam Tomer, Associate Professor, School of Design Pearl Academy, Bengaluru

56 Anupam Tomer specializes in Automotive/Consumer Product design. He is a graduate from Coventry University and Birmingham Institute of Art & Design, UK. His span of 12 years of industry experience covers Product design & Strategy-led projects for companies & consulting firms such as Maruti Suzuki, Firefox Bikes (Hero), Desmania, Jaguar LandRover, Bajaj, Singer, Barista Lavazza, Microsoft to name a few. His passion for design practice finds its expression in Visual Arts, Provocations, Systems thinking, and Speculative Futures. He is also an avid endurance cyclist and fitness biohacker.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

AI & Machine learning tools help designers imagine, build, test, and create solutions

n recent times, AI & Machine learning has transformed into the ‘go-to’ domain for aspirants in the field of service design, e-commerce, cyber security, banking, automation, and social media. With the field of Design diversifying at a much faster pace, the areas of applications at present, go beyond chatbots, search engine optimization (SEO), automation in transport design, and credit card fraud protection. This field has started to boost creative curiosities amongst many design-led consulting firms, with AI finding its stronghold in how to creatively interface with the latest implementable technologies for designers. Hence, it is indeed an exciting time for creative creators, to explore this diversified field of design, as many of these tools are open-source, and are readily available for future consumers.

57 Additionally, Machine learning is not limited to only data visualization and management as toolsets but is more established with its interconnectedness to various disciplines of Art, Design & Entertainment. It allows creatives to make their product experiences highly sensorial and responsive and help them solve the daily market problems in the most delightful of ways. So, what does AI mean for designers? AI & Machine learning tools help designers imagine, build, test, and create solutions. By generating an array of divergent ideas, this field helps augment new prototypes, troubleshoot pain points within a customer journey, and recognize the inter-connectedness of complex system models.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

greater immersive experiences, as the AI continues to learn from its observational integrated technologies. Designers are, at present, developing products that can memorize tasks sequences, anticipate your next steps, forecast outcomes, and even guide you towards completing your daily complex tasks.

These are just a few areas of increasing implementation of AI tools in the creative space. The limits, however, are unimaginable as the final frontiers look towards space exploration systems design & vehicles, Mars architectural design blueprints, and integrated nano biotech medicines, thereby testing the extremes of human brain potential. AI as the new human tech AI tools continue to evolve, as per past data sets and emerging patterns. It is continuously creating a creative consciousness that will fuel true human expectations for future lifestyles. The experiential rooting of AI tech into our daily lives will power the most iconic product designs for the upcoming generations. It will influence designers to create products that will have the capability of self-repairing, self-adapting, and self-correcting in accordance with situations, environment, and user type. They will no longer need instructions but will instead simulate the innate human behavior of becoming lifelong learners and continue to grow, evolve and resolve accordingly. Products of the future, therefore, will be more humane and compassionate in many respects. The upcoming AI-enabled product designs will have the capability of human perception that will unlock

Higher Education Digest December 2021

AI reimagining the way we task, learn and travel Imagine a traditional musical instrument that is AI enabled and is supposed to teach you how to play it like a pro in a matter of few days. Or what if your smart cooking utensils understood your mother’s secret of cooking your favourite dish and goes ahead to teach you how to cook it just like her? Can you imagine your vanity mirror guiding you to a new trendy look every day? Or the city architecture exteriors enabled with a guidance system, without the need of sign boards and that GPS on your phone! Wouldn’t it be great if your photographs could also carry the memories of how you felt in that moment which then someday can be experienced by your dear ones as well? There is no denying the fact that the future of AI is expected to dominate our lives in many ways unexpected. AI for Design On the more technical and process-oriented front, AI will assist design in its pre-production and post-production processes that require a deeper involvement of planned strategies, to achieve a certain creative output. For product designers, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and engineering dynamics will be powered by real-time computational engagement and corrections. Additionally, Generative design is already being applied to visual arts, architecture, and product components in order to explore form proportions and textural detailing like never before. However, there will also exist AI intervention in forming analytics on design surveys, to build more agile business models and project cost estimates in progress. Therefore, designers across the globe will be able to create a wholesomely positive impact on the quality of design and achieve seamless integration into daily objects eventually. Our world of remote digital collaboration is now being completely reimagined. With the advent of opensource applications like Ego4D and the introduction of platforms like Metauniverse, Autodesk dreamcatcher, and Unreal, the gradual transition into AI-assisted design world has already begun.

Higher Education Digest September 2020

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

WHY BOTH SIDES OF THE BRAIN NEED TO BE SYNERGIZED FOR HOLISTIC DEVELOPMENT Dr Munira Saheb Dattani, Early Childhood Consultant, Co-founder & Chief Learning Officer, Tickle Right

60 A riveting passion for creating a positive impact in young lives has been the driving force behind the successful journey of Dr Munira Saheb Dattani as the COO of Tickle Right. She is a certified physical therapist with a specialization in Neuropediatrics. Before Tickle Right, she has spent years working with children with neurological and developmental disabilities at the Nair Hospital, Mumbai (Maharashtra), which laid the grounds of her expertise in the cerebral growth of a child.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The stimulation of the brain using pictures and other visual aids sharpen the child’s photographic memory and helps them to ignite their imagination

oth sides of the human brain develop at different speeds and require stimulation of a different kind. The left brain is all about logic and language development and processes information sequentially. On the other hand, the right brain processes information in the form of images and works much faster and in a more holistic manner. For a child to develop into a balanced and well-rounded individual, both sides of the brain require to be trained so that he or she can improve their comprehension and cognitive skills. The right brain develops faster than the left brain and is quite developed by the time the child is 3-4 years of age. From the time of birth to the age of 4 years, children’s brains grow rapidly as he/she absorbs everything that is happening around them. Over 50% of the brain development is over by this stage. Right brainers exhibit a lot of creativity and are usually big picture-oriented.

They develop social and emotional skills and are able to process and absorb information quickly. They have a very long and retentive memory and are extremely intuitive. On the other hand, left-brained individuals are strong in logic and language skills. They are very detail-oriented and learn via linear sequential processing. Maximizing your child’s potential requires holistic development of the brain with activities that activate imagination and innovation, speed reading and photographic memory on one hand and logical left-brain communication and problem solving on the other. The stimulation of the brain using pictures and other visual aids sharpen the child’s photographic memory and helps them to ignite their imagination. This helps children to get the entire picture at once instead of learning in bits and pieces, They are able to link the images using a pattern and weave a story which helps them to retain it better in their minds.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Spend more time with your little ones and help them develop all parts of their brain. Let them grow into emotionally well-balanced individuals

Higher Education Digest December 2021

From very early childhood, babies are ready and curious to learn. They are like sponges, ready to absorb everything they see and hear. This learning journey is very exciting for them and parents should take utmost care to be active participants Parents and early educators have an equal role to play in helping children negotiate this exploratory journey. Both nature and nurture have an equal role to play in this trip of self-discovery. While nature refers to the environment that children spend their time in that may leave a deep impression on their minds for the future, nurture refers to the interaction with parents and educators that helps them understand themselves better. Children receive inputs from all directions and use the left or right side of the brain to process the same. Parents would do well to encourage children to think independently. On this children’s day, the best gift that parents can give their children is the gift of time. Spend more time with your little ones and help them develop all parts of their brain. Let them grow into emotionally well-balanced individuals. Holistic development of the brain which balances the right with the left hemisphere allows little learners to develop all their faculties equally. This is essential for children to develop independent thinking skills that help them absorb knowledge bytes from every source. This is very important in the early years of the child since the development of the right brain requires some practice and focused efforts. The right-brainer requires the support of parents and teachers to cope with his/her unique learning abilities. A little bit of encouragement and love will go a long way in building the confidence of the children and help them blossom into confident individuals. That is the best gift you can give your little one.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

THE RISE OF ONLINE LEARNING SOLUTIONS Divya Tej Pereira, Founder, Tutrrd

64 Divya Tej Periera is a budding entrepreneur and the Founder of Tutrrd. Tej comes with a rich experience in the education sector. Growing up, he has seen his mother lead several schools and make education accessible to all. Being a Vice-Chairperson at the P.E.N Schools, Tej has always been drawn towards providing education to everyone. He has a grassroot understanding of the Edtech space since he has been responsible for pushing P.E.N schools towards digitisation even before the pandemic hit the nation.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

Children build their mindset and personality very early on through the content they consume and people they connect with

he education sector has seen a massive breakthrough since the outbreak of COVID-19. Currently, there are multiple platforms that provide seamless learning opportunities to students based out of any geographical location and at any given time. The learning model has become very content-driven, which is creating a major shift from the traditional classroom model. Netflix-learning has created a massive change, which has not only affected the education of students, but also improved their interactive and conversational skills, mindset, retention ability and created personalised learning. Online platforms are useful to improve the conversational and interactive skills of the students. EdTech companies are largely focusing on creating a collaborative approach that provides students the platform to co-create the learning process with the tutor. Chat boxes, surveys, online polls and other

communication channels are useful for interaction between the students and the teachers. Moreover, the duo can connect with each other without having to exchange any number. The learning population has completely shifted online, which has created a hurdle in the growth of their interpersonal skills. However, online platforms are focusing on creating features which allow students to effortlessly interact with the tutor, thereby bridging the distance gap between the counterparties. Conversational learning is facilitated by audio-visual assistance, which has become an important element in the professional world as well. These features are assisting students in raising queries, interacting with peers and improving their conversational skills at the comfort of their homes. Mindset plays a key role in the growth of an individual. Children build their mindset and personality very early on through the content they consume

Higher Education Digest December 2021

and people they connect with. Online learning has exposed students to a wide array of content, which can be regulated by understanding the psyche of each student. Personalization allows the tutor to understand the challenges faced by the student and give them a medium to connect with them emotionally to solve their problems. Tutors are focusing on child psychology to assist the student in their mindset development. This is one of the key factors to success. Additionally, comparison between students reduces as each student is assisted to build their own unique individuality and capability. With a strong mindset, students are able to

Higher Education Digest December 2021

build high self-esteem and better mental health for their better overall development. Research has found that online learning solutions increase the information retention ability of students and take less time to reach qualification or graduation. The reduction in time to pursue a degree is beneficial as students get more time to pursue other skills and passions. The enhanced learning ability focuses on improving the writing skills, digital skills, technological skills and life skills like self-discipline, independence and time-management. Moreover, there is synergy created with such an effective online learning model,

Personalization has become one of the key elements in the rise of online learning

wherein the teacher-student duo can co-create for a stronger educational foundation and successful career. Personalization has become one of the key elements in the rise of online learning. Teaching has moved from the standardized approach and become more student-centric. EdTech companies are focusing on providing 1:1 coaching to each individual student, based on their interest areas and learning capability. This is helpful as students receive undivided attention from the tutor, which was a challenge in the traditional classroom learning. Content is customized based on every individual’s report, which allows them to pursue their passions at a very early age. Career options have expanded and students are branching out from the traditional commerce-science-arts streams to create a career they are passionate about. This has resulted in reduction in career-shifts, high self-esteem as students feel extremely fulfilled and driven while studying their favourite subjects. ‘Blended education model’ is a combination of online courses and face-to-face learning. This model will be effective post pandemic as well. The EdTech industry has brought about a much-needed change in the education sector. The pandemic has resulted in the growing need of platforms that catered to the vast remote learning population. The primary focus of these platforms is to conveniently conduct lessons with innovative technology and creative content, thereby facilitating the overall growth and development of students. The rise in online learning has resulted in growing options among students. With the correct guidance and direction, the new digital education ensures to develop a more mentally-strong and productive generation in the coming years.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

IMPARTING EDUCATION AMID COVID-19 Vinay Sharma, CEO & Director, Convergia (S. Chand company venture)

68 An IIM Calcutta alumnus, Vinay is an accomplished business leader with more than 20 years of experience in running P&Ls, leading sales/marketing and operations teams, and setting up new businesses. He has rich and diverse expertise in consumer, IT/Telecom and education sectors. Vinay’s current role includes growing the digital businesses as well as investing in Edtech companies in new education segments. He has been an active mentor and facilitator in the start-up eco system. He is also a Charter member of TiE.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The EdTech market is estimated to grow at 3.7x in the next five years, from $2.8 Bn (2020) to $10.4 Bn (2025), at 14% CAGR over

he education sector has seen a dramatic transition in last two years, with students, parents, teachers and institutions scrambling to adjust, and continue teaching/ learning despite the closures. Thankfully, it seems that Covid is receding and things moving back to normal. The key question is, what this new normal will be? So, will we go back to pre-Covid ways of teaching and learning? Or will the current online system continue, at least where it’s working? Or are we looking at a scenario of ‘Hybrid learning’? Given discussions with multiple students, teachers, school leaders, emerging view is that technology will stay, though the definition of such hybrid is still emerging, and varies depending upon which socio-economic class students/schools belong to. However, as we traverse this uncertainty, new models and new opportunities will emerge.

69 Going Digital As the nation faced the Covid 19 crisis and complete lockdown got implemented, it resulted in the indefinite closure of the education institutes across the country. In this situation, technology became the saviour with teaching moving from a conventional model to an online model, where both teachers and students were exposed to new innovative ways of teaching/learning. Many schools and students who could manage infrastructure and connectivity moved to the online learning model, which needed tremendous learning and experimentation on the part of all stakeholders whether school leaders, teachers, students or parents. This also facilitated many innovations in the education sector with new delivery models, apps and platforms becoming popular. This has also transformed the role of the teachers as well.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The digital classroom has opened up new possibilities for doubt resolution, formative assessments, quick results and analytics, and have given access to many resources to even students of tier II/III towns

70 In fact, the last year, 2020, was a golden year for the Ed-tech sector and proved to be a major catalyst in its growth. This is evident in the Indian Ed-tech start-ups seeing massive investments - a total investment of $2.22 billion in 2020 as compared to $553 million in 2019, according to the Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA) and PGA Labs data. The EdTech market is estimated to grow at 3.7x in the next five years, from $2.8 Bn (2020) to $10.4 Bn (2025), at 14% CAGR over. Online platform and experiences The digital classroom has opened up new possibilities for doubt resolution, formative assessments, quick results and analytics, and have given access to many resources to even students of tier II/III towns. It has also seen a rise in the number of good teaching staff, especially in remote areas. Though, it wasn’t an easy journey for students and teachers adopting the new system but with the introduction of new applications and features, digital-friendly pedagogies, multiple modes of assessments, video-based learning modules, and personalized learning, in the past one-year, EdTech

Higher Education Digest December 2021

platforms helped teachers and students learn effectively in the new academic session. Some learning platforms have now also launched live classes feature based on the demand from students and parents, which enable the students to get more clarity on the topics by being faceto-face with the teacher or mentor. Going Forward Going ahead, when schools open after the pandemic, we will witness technology continue to be used along with physical classes, hybrid mode of education take center stage – as one that creates a robust model of education delivery and learning through an optimum combination of offline and online modes. This will also lead to creation of new pedagogies and curriculum which is aligned with hybrid delivery. Moreover, it would need continuous support and training for teachers, students, for them to fully exploit the benefits of these education apps. We as an ed-tech platform will continue to work closely with teachers, students, and parents, to further simplify and enhance education delivery and improve learning outcomes.

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Higher Education Digest October 2020 December 2021

INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

WHY ARE APTITUDE TESTS IMPORTANT FOR CHILDREN BEFORE CHOOSING A CAREER? Nimish Gupta, Founder & Co- CEO, GenLeap

72 Nimish has been a well-respected business leader with over 25 years of experience in-built environment, education, learning, and technology adoption with the last 18 years at MD/CEO level, setting and scaling up multiple businesses. Nimish was most recently Managing Director, South Asia for RICS, taking over one year after Sachin left. As MD at RICS, Nimish successfully augmented the agenda and influenced multiple policy decisions with the Government, regulators, and policymakers some of which could possibly have a path-breaking impact on the sector in times to come. He is truly entrepreneurial with multiple start-up experiences and some of his own ventures as a principal shareholder, advisor, mentor which are successfully advancing to the next stages of growth.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

A scientific approach can come to the aid and help assess each person’s unique ability, inherent strengths, and weaknesses, aspirations, and career choices

eventeen-year-old Kalpana (name changed) is in two minds whether to take up engineering as her parents suggest or follow her heart and take up Literature as she is about to embark on a new journey and enter her college life. Like Kalpana, many other college-going students are often left in two minds when it comes to pursuing the career of their choice. One moment your child aspires to be a singer and the next moment they want to be a teacher. It’s not uncommon for children to have varying and wavering career interests. As a parent and a guiding force in their life, it may baffle you and one must try to assist them to realize their natural abilities and pave a path towards success, self-actualization and eventual happiness. As a parent it is advisable to give your child’s aspirations an empathetic hearing and make them choose the right

73 career path. It is imperative that their choices are not rubbished just because they are not in alignment with your own interests, career choices, you own unfulfilled ambitions or because they sound outrageous to you. However, not being fully sure about one’s career direction can be a source of stress and can manifest in neurological, psychological, and psychiatric symptoms. A scientific approach can come to the aid and help assess each person’s unique ability, inherent strengths, and weaknesses, aspirations, and career choices. It’s important to remember that all of us are unique and born with certain potential and talent. This potential assists us to learn a task naturally, easily and swiftly. Psychologists define this potential as aptitude. For example, some of us may be quick at making mathematical calculations while others may have a

Higher Education Digest December 2021

An aptitude test plays an important role in understanding the personality of the person. When a person is aware of one’s strength, they can make an informed decision. Students can gain the requisite skills based on the outcome of the aptitude assessment which helps them succeed in their chosen career or profession. Further, aptitude assessments should be designed in such a way that they are free from bias and are now powered by Artificial Intelligence. A student’s potential and intelligence are the key driving indicators in an aptitude assessment. Identifying one’s strengths to career goals isundoubtedly the first step towards success. The right aptitude assessment can help one understand their competency, knowledge and skill sets and steer one towards the most suitable career path. Types of aptitude Some of the most common aptitude types areLogical aptitude, Spatial aptitude, Organisational aptitude, Physical aptitude, Mechanical aptitude, Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) aptitude and Linguistic aptitude. Aptitude assessments are usually done via an online platform and are a great way to understand one’s hidden potential and innate abilities.

74 A student’s potential and intelligence are the key driving indicators in an aptitude assessment natural flair for writing and make talented writers. All of this reflects in our aptitudes. This brings us to the cardinal question of why understanding our aptitude and areas of strength is so important. To be successful in a field of profession it is important to understand what are our strengths and aptitudes. We often ignore the power of our aptitudes. Sociologists have repeatedly emphasized the need to match one’s aptitude with the right career path. Let’s try and understand what aptitude tests are meant for and how they can help in choosing the right career path.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

How can we differentiate aptitudes from interests? There are a few key differences between aptitudes and interests. Aptitudes can be defined as a person’s innate ability to perform specific tasks and excel in them while interests come from someone’s level of knowledge and experience. Knowing and highlighting your aptitudes when applying for jobs can help your child excel in life. Aptitude assessment results often help students to understand and make subject choices in relation to their special abilities as well as explore career pathways related specifically to areas linked to their aptitude. Choosing the right career path is one of the most crucial decisions in life and got to do much more than just make a living. The importance of selecting the right career path can never be undermined. Some people know from the start which career path to take while most of us are not always steered in the right direction. The best way to make sure that your child’s career is headed in the right direction is to make a well-thought-out decision. Parents often overlook the fact that each child is actually gifted with unique abilities, aptitudes, and talents which when nurtured in the right direction can bring out the genius in them.

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INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE

DATA IS THE NEW OIL DOES A DATA SCIENCE COURSE IMPROVE CAREER PROSPECTS? Sumeet Bansal, CEO & Co-Founder, AnalytixLabs

76 Sumeet founded AnalytixLabs in 2011 along with Ankita Gupta and Chandra Mouli. Prior to starting AnalytixLabs, Sumeet has worked as a Business Consultant with prestigious companies like McKinsey & Company, ZS Associates, and AbsolutData in the past 14 years. He has worked in more than ten countries across the globe in various business domains and is an expert in datadriven consulting and business solutions. Being always passionate about Data Science, Sumeet had the conviction that we could do a much better job and contribute in this field, which he knew would boom in the coming years, and hence the AnalytixLabs was born.

Higher Education Digest December 2021

The data scientist is the most indemand career option available in the market right now

n today’s fast-paced world, the only wealth that is worth having is “Data” or “Information”. In recent years the importance of information has grown manifold as advanced analytics and artificial intelligence can draw meaningful inferences out of unlinked pieces of data collected from a variety of sources. As the importance of this subject grows, the demand for resources with these skillsets increases exponentially. While engineering colleges are offering degrees in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, there is an urgent need to upskill young professionals who have missed this opportunity earlier. The data scientist is the most in-demand career option available in the market right now. Businesses of today are focused on using real-time data to generate actionable outcomes using new-age technologies like

77 Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Cloud and Edge Computing. They are always on the lookout to hire resources that can collect, evaluate, analyze data and derive meaningful inferences. The supply of data scientists is not sufficient to meet the industry’s demand. The humongous amounts of data generated by the system need specialized skillsets to be converted into useful pieces of information. This would help organizations to create more customercentric experiences through predictive analytics. A recent survey of 100 hiring managers conducted by an Ed-Tech company shows that there is a huge gap between demand and supply for data science professionals. Over 57% felt that the gap was at the base level while 27% felt that even at mid-level positions there is a scarcity of talent to fill available

Higher Education Digest December 2021

78 positions. Major gaps were seen in the areas of Natural Language Processing followed by Artificial Intelligence, Automation, Computer Vision, Analytics and Machine Learning. This is the reason we see several educational startups offering tailored courses in Data Science and Analytics for students and young professionals that will help them to beef up their resumes by adding in-demand skills that will assist in finding decent placements in the industry and secure career paths. The unprecedented demand for data scientists stems from the simple fact that they are in huge demand and there are not enough resources available to fill these vacancies. A recent study conducted by AnalytixLabs and AIM shows that over 1,13,000 data science jobs were available in year 2020 waiting to be filled up. This gives us a clear picture of the availability of job opportunities in this field for those who are willing to pursue specialized courses and add to their expertise. Several startups have identified the supply-demand gap in this area and are offering specialised tailored courses that can create industry-ready professionals. Unlike a full-fledged 4-year engineering course these courses are short term courses delivered in byte sized

Higher Education Digest December 2021

capsules. These courses are usually accompanied by career counselling and placement services. The need of the hour is to create more data scientists who can meet the industry demand. The main role of a data scientist is to turn raw data into meaningful information that can be used by enterprises to enhance their business outcomes. Humongous amounts of data are being collected by businesses during their day-to-day operations. The role of a data scientist is to sift through this information, identify patterns and predict future consumer behaviour. This is extremely useful for businesses as it helps them tackle business problems in innovative ways. Data scientists extract, analyse and interpret data with the help of data mining, algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other tools to convert it into actionable information for enterprises. In today’s highly competitive environment, it is refreshing to find an area that is still looking for the right talent. It is a godsend for those ambitious and focused students who can sharpen their skills, build the required expertise, and make themselves industry-ready to grab these career opportunities. In a world where we are used to talking about unemployment numbers, here is a field that is still green with opportunities for the right skilled professional. Looking at the demand for data science it would make a lot of sense for students and young professionals to build their expertise in this area so that their talent can get monetized in the form of well-paid jobs. There is a high demand for data scientists in various areas like finance, retail, healthcare, government, education, e-commerce, and scientific research etc. This gives a fair idea of the career prospects available. There are phases when some skillsets are in higher demand than others and it makes sense to make hay when the sun shines. Given the accelerated pace at which organizations are moving towards new-age technologies like the Cloud, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the need for data scientists who can process the data and generate meaningful inferences is only expected to rise exponentially in the near future. Looking at the current demand-supply gap, it doesn’t seem likely that it is going to fill up very quickly. So, this area would continue to be a verdant plot for skilled professionals with the ambition to make it big. There would not be any dearth of opportunities or pay packages for those with the right talent. Against such a backdrop, a course in Data Science may be a very useful steppingstone to a meaningful career progression.

Higher Education Digest December 2021