Not just skilling, but learning to learn

India's higher education system is at a pivotal moment. The choices made today will shape the country's intellectual and economic landscape tomorrow. While NEP 2020 is ambitious, the current discourse, often fixated on skilling, risks missing the bigger picture. Education isn't merely about equipping young people with job-ready skills but about fostering adaptability, critical thinking and a deep-rooted ability to learn, a necessity in our rapidly evolving, tech-driven world.

State public universities (SPUs), set up and run by state governments, serve over 80% (32.5 mn) of higher ed students. Historically, their expansion has been instrumental in increasing access to education. SPUs have the reach and student base to become hubs of R&D and innovation. Yet, as a new NITI Aayog report, 'Expanding Quality Higher Education Through SPUs', highlights, they remain underfunded and bureaucratically shackled. Over 40% of faculty positions are vacant. Only 10% of SPUs have well-equipped research facilities.

GoI is working on a framework to represent contributions of knowledge-driven sectors. This is commendable. But building a strong roof first requires building a solid ground floor. Instead of nurturing inquiry and innovation, many institutions churn out graduates who struggle to pivot beyond the limited scope of their degrees. If we genuinely seek a Viksit Bharat, both GoI and states must not only increase allocations for higher ed, as NITI rightly recommends, but also make smart and focused investments. Unis can't be degree factories meeting enrolment targets. This is not about abstract ideals but instilling an ever-evolving process suited to the ever-evolving real world. The transition from access to excellence is now an imperative.