New Delhi: As we step into the future, education sector’s dynamic landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by the transformative force of education technology (EdTech) in the digital era. The integration of technology has not only reshaped traditional teaching and learning methods but has also sparked a wave of innovation and change. However, the mere introduction of technology is insufficient; educational leaders must champion a culture that fosters innovation for a truly transformative impact.

To cultivate a Culture of Change, leaders within educational communities must instil a growth mindset. Emphasizing the significance of lifelong learning creates an environment that encourages adaptation to and utilization of new technologies. Leadership plays a pivotal role in fostering a culture that actively embraces change and promotes innovation in educational technology. Leaders must possess a clear vision of technology’s role in shaping the future of higher education.

Effectively integrating EdTech requires providing educators with the necessary resources and information. Leaders should allocate resources to comprehensive professional development initiatives covering both technical and pedagogical aspects of EdTech. Ongoing investment in professional development programs equips educators with the knowledge and skills essential for the effective use of educational technology. Innovation should align with student needs, and a leadership-driven culture of innovation has the potential to permeate entire educational ecosystems, extending beyond individual classrooms.

Encouraging technological advancements starts with fostering a mindset among parents, teachers, and students that views obstacle as opportunities for personal development. Teachers can gain confidence in integrating technology by participating in workshops, seminars, and mentorship programs.

Maintaining a Culture of Change hinges on recognizing and rewarding creative efforts. Leaders can establish incentive programs that honour teachers successfully leveraging EdTech to enhance learning outcomes and student engagement. Openly discussing the benefits of EdTech and sharing success stories is crucial. Including parents in training sessions and workshops bridges the gap between home and school, ensuring a comprehensive approach to technology integration in education.

Having an open mind is essential for embracing innovation, signifying receptivity to new ideas and methods. Leaders bear the responsibility of cultivating an environment where educators feel comfortable experimenting with innovative educational technology tools, fostering curiosity and exploration. Effective leadership is intertwined with open and honest communication and collaboration. Facilitating open channels for dialogue ensures free exchange of ideas among educators, administrators, and IT professionals.

In conclusion, the journey towards innovation and change in education technology is a collaborative effort guided by visionary leaders who prioritize a Culture of Change.

Author: Dr. Sanjay Salunkhe, Managing Director, Jaro Education

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or policies of ObserveNow Media. The author is solely responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and validity of the information presented, encouraging readers to independently verify and seek professional advice if needed.

New Delhi: Oxford ELLT today announced the launch of its global brand campaign supporting its fast-growing, world-class language testing products – Oxford ELLT Digital and Oxford ELLT Global. These innovative language testing products cater to the evolving needs of Indian students aspiring for Higher Education abroad, providing a secure and reliable method for assessing reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills. Accredited and recognized globally across the UK, USA, Australia, and Canada by 120+ universities like the University of Bristol, University of York, University of Glasgow, University of Edinburgh, Hertfordshire University, and University of Niagara Falls, Canada. Oxford ELLT has 10 test centres in India for assessment with many more to be launched soon.

Oxford ELLT’s language testing products comprise reading, listening, writing, and speaking modules, emphasizing a comprehensive evaluation. To offer Indian students convenience and flexibility, post the launch of Oxford ELLT’s inaugural product, it has provided support to students globally, including those from India- Oxford ELLT Digital, a fully online modularized English Language Level Test, that can be undertaken from any location globally. The modular structure allows students to pause and resume at their convenience, making it adaptable to diverse schedules. Students can undertake the test from any location globally, combining the latest AI security measures with human proctoring to ensure accurate skill evaluation.

For students in regions with internet challenges, Oxford ELLT Global offers a secure testing environment at approved test centres. This in-person testing option provides peace of mind for both candidates and universities, ensuring accurate evaluations of English language proficiency levels in a single-sitting. With a focus on accuracy and accessibility the results are available for the students in 48 hours.

In both types of test, the Oxford ELLT Examiner who meets with the candidate in the speaking test will have also marked their written test, thereby being provided with a holistic view of the candidate’s abilities. We know from test taker surveys that the live Examiner is deeply appreciated, with 71% of those who responded to our surveys stating that they would recommend the test for the live speaking test with the examiner

Amit Upadhyay, Regional Director – India & South Asia, Oxford ELLT said, “Oxford ELLT is committed to empowering students on their academic journey by providing innovative and reliable language testing solutions. With the launch of Oxford ELLT Digital and Oxford ELLT Global, we aim to bridge accessibility gaps and facilitate greater opportunities for Indian students seeking Higher Education abroad. Through the integration of cutting-edge AI technology and a commitment to academic integrity, we aim to provide students with a platform that offers flexibility, reliability, and peace of mind. These new programs exemplify our ongoing dedication to supporting students on their academic journey, empowering them to achieve their goals with confidence.”

New Delhi: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan, launched the SWAYAM Plus Platform today in New Delhi. Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education Shri K. Sanjay Murthy; Chairperson, UGC, Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar; Chairperson, NCVET, Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi; Chairperson, NASSCOM, Shri Rajesh Nambiar; Director, IIT Madras, Prof. V Kamakoti; Chairman, AICTE, Prof. T.G. Sitharam; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Education, Shri Govind Jaiswal, other academician and dignitaries were also present at the event. A video on SWAYAM PLUS was shown during the launch event. MoUs were exchanged with Swayam and industry partners including Apnatime Tech Pvt. Ltd., L&T EduTech, Tata Consultancy Services Limited, The Job Plus and People’s Network, Wadhwani Foundation (Skill Development Network), Medvarsity Online Limited, Smartbridge Educational Services Pvt. Ltd, Anaadi Foundation, 360Digi TMG, and Balani Infotech Private Limited for launching industry courses on SWAYAM Plus.

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan while addressing the audience said that with the implementation of NEP2020, an entire new generation has to be prepared. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for envisioning the roadmap for the coming 25 years. He also emphasized how female enrolment in STEM education in India has become the highest in the world.

Working professionals to participate in the SWAYAM platform using it as a vehicle and take advantage of the multiple-entry-multiple-exit of NEP2020, he added. He also said that the Platform will widen the scope of the classroom adding 43 million students of Higher Education students and working professionals.

He also said that courses are needed for the industry, futuristic courses such as semi-conductors, Artificial Intelligence, etc. for the youth of the country. Applied education with SWAYAM Plus, employability, entrepreneurship, job-centric and hands-on training is a move towards that direction, he said.

Courses are to be in local languages to empower every student in order to realize the dream of Viksit Bharat, as innovation has no language, Shri Pradhan said. Going beyond STEM education, courses involving music, painting, creative arts, humanities, and liberal arts, are to be part of the Platform to bring about all-round development in our youth, he stressed.

Shri K. Sanjay Murthy in his address urged for greater participation from the industry leaders and also subject matter experts from Universities and Institutions to contribute courses on separate verticals, which will be certified by IIT Madras. There will be a multitude of institutional mechanisms, which will examine such types of proposals to ensure need-based and timely responses, he added. Shri Murthy also informed that content will be available in 12 major Indian languages of the country.

Prof. T.G. Sitharam; Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar; Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi; Shri Rajesh Nambiar; Prof. V Kamakoti; and Shri K. Sanjay Murthy also shared their insight in a session titled ‘Role of SWAYAM Plus to enhance employability of Students and the learners’. Two more sessions on ‘From SWAYAM to SWAYAM Plus – Join the Digital India Story (Presentation and Q&A)’ and ‘The Role of SWAYAM Plus in Fostering Sustainable Industry-Academia’ during the event were also held during the event.

SWAYAM, the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) platform providing educational opportunities for a vast number of learners, was launched by the Ministry of Education in 2017. In alignment with NEP 2020, the SWAYAM Plus platform will now include courses supporting industry needs that enhance learners’ employability. Developed in collaboration with industry giants like L&T, Microsoft, CISCO, and more, SWAYAM Plus features innovative elements such as multilingual content, AI-enabled guidance, credit recognition, and pathways to employment.

SWAYAM Plus primarily focuses on achieving the following: Building an ecosystem for all stakeholders in professional and career development, including learners, course providers, industry, academia, and strategic partners; Enabling a mechanism that provides credit recognition for high‐quality certifications and courses offered by the best industry and academia partners; Reaching a large learner base by catering to learning across the country, with a focus on reaching learners from tier 2 and 3 towns and rural areas and Offering employment focused courses, based on learner needs – across chosen disciplines with options to learn through resources in vernacular languages. SWAYAM Plus also envisions bringing in features such as access to mentorship, scholarships, and job placements as value-added services in due course of time, thus building a digital ecosystem for learners to pursue upskilling/re-skilling at all levels, namely certificate, diploma or degree. This event is a testament to the collective resolve to nurture a digitally empowered society, underpinned by education that is accessible, equitable, and aligned with the demands of the future.

This story has been sourced from PIB.

New Delhi: Educational institutions recognize the paramount importance of bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application to equip students for success in the corporate environment. To achieve this, various strategies are employed, encompassing the development of soft skills, implementation of career counseling services, facilitation of internships, and establishment of mentorship programs.

These initiatives collectively ensure that students not only acquire theoretical knowledge but also gain practical experience, fostering a seamless transition from academic life to the dynamic challenges of the professional world. In this regard, Zain Khan, ObserveNow interacted with Dr Nikolina Ljepava, Department Chair Management, American University in the Emirates, UAE.

Here are a few excerpts from the interview:

What strategies does your institution employ to integrate practical, real-world experiences into the curriculum to prepare students for the corporate environment?

The American University in the Emirates (AUE) is highly oriented towards providing practical and hands-on experiences for its students, preparing them for the volatile and ever-changing job market. One of our significant institutional initiatives implemented several years ago is integrating practical industry practitioners’ workshops into our curriculum. This ensures that during their studies, students are exposed to practical examples, real cases, and hands-on activities delivered by leading industry professionals in the region. Industry collaborations are particularly crucial in our College of Business Administration.

AUE students can take internship placements during their studies. In most of our colleges, an internship is mandatory for graduation. This gives students a unique exposure to a real work environment, better preparing them for what awaits after graduation.

How do you foster the development of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, among your students to enhance their corporate readiness?

There is a global shift in higher education, with the focus moving from an orientation on knowledge to an orientation toward skills development. In the contemporary market, which mandates lifelong learning to stay up to date with fast-paced developments, soft skills have proven to be a crucial distinction between good and exceptional graduates. At AUE, we place significant emphasis on developing our students’ soft skills. Soft skills development is integrated throughout our curricula – through mandatory courses at the beginning of their academic journey, which focus on soft skills development and further on through various activities. These activities include individual oral presentations, role-playing, and simulations aimed at mimicking real-life scenarios and developing their problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication skills. Most of our courses have integrated group projects where students must collaborate, make decisions, and solve problems as a group. This prepares them to work effectively in teams and practice problem-solving and assertive communication.

What support systems, such as career counseling, internships, or mentorship programs, are in place to help students transition smoothly from academic life to the corporate world?

Career counseling and internships enable a smooth transition from academic life to the corporate world. AUE has a designated career and internship office, which provides career counseling services and teaches essential skills such as resume writing, interview preparation, and job search strategies. In addition to the regular activities and those integrated within our pre-internship preparation course, AUE organizes various workshops related to career readiness and preparation for the job market. Furthermore, our Career Office supports our students in finding internships both during and after their studies. At our university, we also regularly host job fairs and recruitment events, where our students can meet potential employers, learn about different companies and opportunities, and apply for jobs or internship positions. All these activities are designed to complement academic learning and ensure that our students are well-prepared for their future careers.
Can you discuss any specific initiatives or projects aimed at enhancing the employability of graduates, especially in the context of the UAE job market? 

With its rapidly developing economic landscape, the UAE boasts a dynamic, diverse, and competitive job market. To enhance the employability of our graduates, we are focusing on skills development – both soft skills and technical and digital skills, which are essential for the contemporary job market. Many of our integrated industry workshops explicitly focus on developing these skills in students’ areas of specialization. The UAE market is also highly focused on industry collaboration and innovation. Through various industry collaborations, including lectures, workshops, event participation, field trips, and internship placements, we provide our students with networking opportunities that are essential for their future careers.

Kindly share examples of successful collaborations between your institution and local businesses or industries that have contributed to producing graduates with a strong understanding of the corporate landscape in the UAE.

As noted above, our university and College of Business Administration maintain active and extensive collaborations with a variety of local businesses and institutions. There are two examples that I would especially emphasize – the first one that we have at our college is collaboration with various professional bodies such as the Project Management Institute (PMI), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), and Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Our concentrations at the College of Business Administration are recognized by these professional bodies, and our students have unique opportunities to gain valuable professional certifications during their studies. This enables them both to understand the corporate landscape and UAE business environment and also prepares them for their future careers by giving them a competitive advantage over other recent graduates. One of the values that we genuinely aim to instill in our graduates is the necessity of lifelong learning, and our collaboration with professional bodies and the connections that our students establish with them during their university journey strongly contribute to that.