India: A Knowledge-Infused Civilization
India, as a reservoir of knowledge, carries an inherent wealth of talent ingrained in its very DNA. Across its illustrious history, India has left indelible marks in diverse domains of knowledge, ranging from mathematics, astronomy, medicine, and philosophy, to literature. The profound contributions of ancient Indian mathematicians in number theory and mathematical analysis continue to influence contemporary research. India's historical legacy as a civilization driven by knowledge significantly impacts its modern educational, scientific, and cultural landscape, solidifying its role as a major contributor to global progress.
G-20: Focused on Global Well-being
Throughout its tenure as the leader of the G-20, India consistently prioritized global well-being in all deliberations, whether within working groups or ministerial assemblies. The overarching theme of "One Earth – One Family – One Future" during India's G-20 presidency, rooted in the ancient values of Vasudhaiva Kutumbkam, underscores that India's growth and progress transcend its borders, aiming for the welfare of the entire world—a concept known as 'Vishwa Kalyan.'
Global Trust in India's Economy
The world has taken note of India's robust and resilient economy. The International Monetary Fund has recognized India as a "bright spot" in the global economic landscape. India's macroeconomic fundamentals stand strong, and despite global challenges, it ranks among the world's fastest-growing economies. India currently holds the fifth-largest economy spot and is poised to ascend to the third-largest position shortly.
Education: The Foundation of Progress
Elevating human capital through knowledge and skills is the linchpin for realizing India's full potential. Education serves as the 'mother-ship' that will steer and sustain growth impulses, empowering its citizenry.
National Education Policy (NEP): The Blueprint
To foster inclusive, forward-looking, and rooted education in India, a comprehensive National Education Policy for 2020 was formulated. A central tenet of NEP-2020 is the promotion of learning in one's mother tongue to ensure robust conceptual understanding and clarity, without replacing link languages. This approach facilitates smoother educational pathways, particularly for students with varying cognitive abilities.
Internationalizing Higher Education
NEP-2020 places a high premium on internationalizing higher education, aiming to make India a top study destination. This involves fostering faculty-student exchanges, nurturing research and teaching partnerships, and signing mutually beneficial MOUs with foreign nations. Notably, institutions like IIT-Madras and IIT-Delhi have forged MoUs to establish foreign campuses in Zanzibar-Tanzania and Abu Dhabi-UAE, respectively.
Industry-Academia Collaboration
Promoting research through industry-academia collaboration is another NEP-2020 priority. The establishment of the National Research Foundation aims to seed, cultivate, and facilitate research within academic institutions, to position India as an R&D hub. The government's efforts extend beyond just improving the ease of doing business; they encompass fostering an environment conducive to research.
Global Educational Partnerships
India has cultivated educational partnerships with major countries like the USA, Australia, Japan, and Europe, where India's talent pool is recognized and sought after. Initiatives such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) and the Quad Fellowship promote enhanced collaboration in high-technology sectors.
Standardization for Global Alignment
To align Indian education with global standards, NEP introduced the National Curriculum Framework for School Education, defining specific learning standards, content, pedagogy, and assessments. Similarly, the National Credit Framework has been established to encompass diverse academic practices within the academic credit system.
Skilling and Entrepreneurship
India's burgeoning young population, with over 600 million individuals aged 18 to 35, represents a demographic dividend. Empowering this demographic with multidisciplinary skills and critical thinking abilities is a top priority. India boasts the third-largest start-up ecosystem globally, including over 100 Unicorns. Notably, innovation and start-up growth extend beyond metro cities, with Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and towns playing substantial roles.
Skilling from Early Education
Skilling has been integrated into school education from the sixth standard onwards, firmly ingrained within the credit framework. Emulating Singapore's Skill Framework, India seeks to nurture a skilled workforce from the school level to thrive in a technology-driven industrial landscape.
India and the Emerging New Order
India recognizes the pivotal role of human capital in the evolving new order. A populace equipped with education and skills can profoundly impact today's knowledge-driven economy, contributing to nation-building through groundbreaking innovations, scientific discoveries, and the expansion of knowledge frontiers. India stands as a colossal laboratory for global progress, poised at the forefront of shaping the new order in the 21st century—a world driven by knowledge and transformative technologies.
