Embracing Technology: Revolutionising Education Across Disciplines
Technology is transforming education in India, bridging gaps and providing personalised learning experiences, empowering students for the digital future.
Technology is fundamentally reshaping education in India, revolutionising traditional learning methods and opening up new avenues for teaching and learning. With over 820 million active internet users and smart-phone penetration rate close to around 71 percent, India boasts of being one of the largest online markets globally. This digital revolution has led to a surge in the adoption of online learning platforms.
The e-learning market in India is projected to reach $14.85 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 21.56% from 2024 to 2028. The government has launched several initiatives to promote digital learning, including the Digital India campaign and the National Education Policy 2020, emphasising the use of technology in education.
India has also seen a surge in EdTech startups. As of February 28, 2024, there are 15,374 EdTech startups in India. These startups are driving innovation and providing learners with access to high-quality educational resources.
The COVID-19 pandemic further accelerated the adoption of online learning in India, with schools and colleges shifting to remote learning platforms to ensure continuity of education. As a result, there was a significant increase in the usage of online learning platforms across the country.
Through digital platforms, students now have access to a vast array of educational resources, breaking down geographical barriers and democratising access to knowledge. Interactive online lessons, virtual labs, and educational apps offer personalised learning experiences tailored to individual needs, fostering a deeper understanding of subjects.
Realising this importance, Outlook Business organised a first of its kind Edtech Summit at Hyderabad. The Edtech Summit – Transforming Education with Technology was the first edition of the education conclave and was organised at the Sheraton Hyderabad on 29th February 2024.
With a focus on integrating various technological tools and resources, the conclave seeked to enhance the teaching and learning experience, propelling traditional education methods into the digital age.
Esteemed speakers, included top
educators, policymakers, and industry leaders, convened to discuss key topics shaping the future of education.
The event began with the welcome address of Ms Suchetna Ray, Editor of Outlook Business.
This was followed by a key note address by the Guest of honour, Mr Shrikant Sinha, CEO of Telangana Academy for Skills and Knowledge (TASK).
He highlighted their innovative approach to skill development. Established in 2014, TASK has trained over nine and a half lakh students and 18,000 faculty members across various industries. Their laddered learning approach ensures students receive comprehensive training from the first year itself, making them industry-ready upon graduation. In partnerships with over 80 organisations and programs spanning 110 disciplines, they have become a hub for employment opportunities, with over 500 companies advertising entry-level jobs through their portal. He explained that they collaborate with colleges and corporations, tailoring training programs to meet specific industry needs.
The first panel discussion titled – ‘Tech Tools and Future of Examination Processes’ was moderated by the Associate Editor of Outlook Business, Amit Shanbaug. The panel discussion brought together respected experts from academia to talk about how technology is changing education, especially in exams and evaluations. They shared their thoughts on the growing use of digital tools in these areas.
Dr. Gomathi Devi L, Vice Chancellor of the Maharani Cluster University highlighted the transformative potential of digital valuation in not only saving time but also mitigating malpractices, underscoring its efficiency and effectiveness. Prof. Dr. T Arumugam, Vice Chancellor of Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore spoke about the inclusive nature of digitalisation in examinations, pointing out its advantages in expediting result dissemination and enhancing accessibility. Prof. Ramesh Chandra, Vice Chancellor, Maharaja Surajmal
Brij University brought attention to the practical challenges faced by institutions in implementing online examination systems, emphasising the importance of addressing infrastructure and affordability issues. Dr. Riyaz
Basha, Registrar (Evaluation) Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences
shared insightful experiences from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, showcasing successful implementations of digital assessment platforms and advanced surveillance measures to ensure authenticity and security. Together, the conversation emphasised how important it is to use technology to make education better. They also recognised the many different challenges we need to overcome to make sure everyone can benefit from it.
VSN Raju, Director & CEO of COEMPT EduTeck Pvt Ltd gave a small presentation on some of the latest trends and services in the industry. He stated that COEMPT EduTeck Pvt Ltd, a pioneer in technology-enabled learning and examination solutions since 2001, under the visionary leadership of Mr. M.P. Chary, has revolutionised the Indian examination landscape. With an unwavering commitment to integrity, excellence, collaboration, and innovation, the company has served over 2000 colleges and 25 universities nationwide. Their forthcoming products, Digitab and DCPad, signify a bold leap towards paperless examinations, offering students a seamless and secure testing experience. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, COEMPT EduTeck aims to mitigate challenges such as leaks, cheating, and fake degrees, ushering in a new era of efficiency and reliability in the examination process, he said.
The second panel discussion titled-‘Regulatory Frontiers: Navigating the digital landscape’ was moderated by Vinita Bhatia, Editor- Startups at Outlook Business.
The panel discussion highlighted the evolving landscape of education technology and the importance of collaboration between private sectors and governments.
Dr. N R Bhanumurthy, Vice Chancellor, Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics University explained the need for public-private partnerships (PPP) to democratise education and alleviate burdens on universities, urging technology players to consider scalability for wider accessibility. Prof. N S Nigam, Registrar, National Law School of Indian University spoke on the importance of distinguishing between traditional education and
executive programs in quality control measures, emphasising inclusivity in the latter. Dr. S Kadhiravan, COE, Periyar University, Salem stressed the significance of self-regulation in light of technological challenges, citing instances of unethical behaviour and financial pressures faced by universities, calling for innovative solutions like the adoption of digipads for examination processes.
D.P. Sreenivas, Co-founder of Duranc, in his presentation explained the evolution of their integrated video management and analytics solutions since their inception in 2014. With a firm commitment to providing cuttingedge technology made in India, Duranc has revolutionised surveillance systems by enabling centralised management and monitoring across diverse campuses. By leveraging artificial intelligence, their solution empowers existing cameras with intelligence, eliminating the need for costly upgrades. Sreenivas emphasised Duranc’s focus on the education sector, while ensuring that campuses remain safe and secure, allowing administrators to concentrate on fostering the next generation of citizens. Through their innovative solutions, Duranc exemplifies the seamless integration of technology to enhance safety and efficiency across various industries, including education, he said.
The third panel discussion titled-Innovations in Ed Tech: Collaborative Solutions for Academic Excellence was moderated by Ms Suchetna Ray, EditorOutlook Business.
The panel discussion featuring Prof. Kuldeep K Raina, Vice Chancellor, Ramaiah University of Applied
Sciences, Dr. Korukonda Babji, Vice Chancellor, Dr YSRUHS, Vijaywada, Dr. Srinivasa Raghavan, COE, Bharathidasan University, Trichy, and Prof. Amiya Kumar Rath, Vice Chancellor, Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT), Roukela shed light on the transformative impact of technology in education.
Prof. Raina talked about how the costs of using technology in education can change over time. He suggested that we need to carefully consider different needs in education when using technology. Dr. Babji explained how important technology is in teaching medical students and caring for patients. He gave examples of how advanced tools like deep brain stimulation and digital pathology have improved teaching methods and patient diagnoses. Dr. Raghavan mentioned how technology has made education cheaper and more accessible. He also talked about how it helps with research projects like genome sequencing, where scientists work together on big projects. While, Prof. Rath praised how well technology has been used in exams. He thinks that combining traditional teaching with online courses can make teachers better and help students learn more. Overall, they all agreed that technology is changing education for the better in many different areas. Their insights highlighted the important role of technology in revolutionising education across diverse disciplines.
Overall, The EdTech Summit provided a comprehensive insight into the evolving landscape of education technology in India. From discussions on the dynamic nature of costs to the indispensable role of technology in medical education and patient care, the summit highlighted the transformative potential of digital innovations across diverse disciplines. Speakers emphasised the importance of collaboration between private sectors and governments in navigating regulatory frontiers and promoting inclusive digital learning initiatives. The summit also showcased the growing adoption of online learning platforms, driven by increased internet penetration and government initiatives like Digital India. As technology continues to revolutionise education, it promises to democratise access to knowledge, enhance teaching methodologies, and foster collaborative learning environments nationwide, ultimately empowering students for the digital future.