Indian Education - Global Relevance

Abstract

The global economy has undergone a structural transformation: there will be a workforce of 3.3 billion needed by 2020, in the services and capital-intensive manufacturing sectors. This phenomenon is expected to play out in India – by 2020. 90% of India’s GDP and 75% of employment is expected to be obtained from the services and manufacturing sectors. Technological advancement shall have several jobs redundant while also creating new job roles. The structural shift in generating employment will increase demand for sophisticated workers, innovators, and thinkers who could thrive in globally-connected and a dynamic economy. India, with a large workforce and an increasing pool of educated graduates, is in a strategic position to reap the benefits of this shift. However, the ‘demographic divided’ will likely be squandered unless India can create a “globally relevant and competitive” higher education system that serves the requirements of both the domestic as well as global economy. India is prominently placed on the global higher education map in terms of more globally-reputed Indian institutions, significant student and faculty mobility, presence of collaborations with quality international institutions India as a hub for talent that is able to drive competitiveness of the Indian economy and is fit to work in or serve international markets This paper is an attempt to identify the needs of global competitiveness in the Indian students. Secondary data is used in depth to identify the shift needed in higher education.