Future-ready education vital for Viksit Bharat 2047, says CEC Director

Highlighting the critical role of education in shaping India’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047, Prof. Parikshat Singh Manhas, director of the Consortium for Educational Communication (CEC), said education must evolve by integrating technology, innovation and interdisciplinary learning to prepare students for a rapidly changing global environment.

He was speaking at a two-day seminar, titled ‘Transforming education for the future: Intelligence, inclusive and immersive learning’, organised by the Consortium for Educational Communication in association with Educational Multimedia Research Centre (EMRC) of the University of Mysore, here on Monday.

Reflecting on technological transitions over the years, Prof. Manhas, in his keynote address, remarked that while Artificial Intelligence is a powerful tool, its effectiveness ultimately depends on human input, stating that it is not the machine that counts, but the human mind behind the machine.

He also shared a framework based on the five vowels of the English alphabet as guiding principles for young learners – A – Adaptability, E – Empathy, I – Integrity, O – Opportunities, and U – Universalism. According to him, these qualities are essential for students and professionals to succeed in an interconnected and technology-driven world.

Prof. Manhas also highlighted the need to align education with employable skills, noting that although opportunities are abundant, many graduates remain unemployed due to a mismatch between academic training and industry requirements.

He told the gathering that CEC has already developed eight online degree programmes and is currently working on additional programmes in social sciences and humanities, opening new possibilities for collaboration with universities across the country, including the University of Mysore.

Prof. N. K. Lokanath, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mysore, who also spoke, emphasised that education remains the most powerful instrument for transforming individuals and society. He noted that the theme of the seminar is highly relevant in the context of rapid technological advancements and the evolving educational ecosystem.

Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP), he explained that modern education has moved beyond traditional classroom instruction and now involves a combination of classroom learning, mentorship, and self-directed study, urging students and researchers to cultivate the habit of independent learning and deeper engagement with their subjects.

Prof. Lokanath also highlighted the growing influence of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, data analytics, Augmented Reality (AR), and Virtual Reality (VR) in enhancing teaching and learning processes. He encouraged participants to utilise the seminar as a platform for generating meaningful ideas and actionable recommendations that could contribute to strengthening the future of higher education.

Dr. Ganta Ravi Kumar, director, EMRC Mysore, presented an overview of the centre’s journey and its significant contributions to educational media and digital learning initiatives. He noted that for more than three decades, EMRC Mysore has played a pioneering role in Karnataka by bridging the gap between complex academic knowledge and learners through innovative and accessible multimedia content.