“…By education, I mean an all-round drawing out of the best in the child and man in body, mind, and spirit.” These are the words of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation.
Higher education plays a key role in shaping the future of an individual, besides contributing to the development of a country. But for some time now, Indian students are increasingly migrating to foreign lands to pursue higher education. Many have voiced concern over the trend and Kerala too is debating it. The State has achieved several milestones in the field of education, including higher education, but some rectification measures are still required on a few fronts. Certain things have to be taken care of to ensure quality, relevance, and assimilation of the right knowledge.
Here we analyse the reasons and remedial measures for increasing student migration rather than limiting it to just another discussion on talent drain.
This movement of students can be classified into three:-
• Migration from villages to cities
Students move out of rural areas to cities in search of better education, job, communication facilities, and rich living experience. The students are often lured by the high standard of education being provided by institutions in cities and the good job opportunities there.
• Choosing North Indian institutions for higher education
A substantial number of students from Kerala opt for universities in North India to pursue their higher education. Similar factors like ambition for better education, increased job opportunities, better communication facilities, and more diversified life experiences are behind this.
• International migration
The trend of students from Kerala migrating to foreign countries for higher education has caught up of late. Again, the reasons are high standards of education, excellent job opportunities, modern communication facilities, and the desire to live in a foreign land. Here, students can experience diversified cultures, have a global perspective, and build international ties. These factors will immensely benefit them in their future endeavors.
How to address student migration
To address the challenges raised by mass migration for higher studies, it’s essential to focus on enhancing the basic educational infrastructure facilities and opportunities in the rural sector. The need to migrate to urban centres can be reduced by increasing the quality of education and offering wider educational resources. This might encourage students to achieve higher education in their own communities itself. Besides, this may also result in enhancing the educational standards of the state and creating more employment opportunities.
The desired change in the trend can be brought about by setting up more research institutions, promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing the cooperation between various industrial academies. By strengthening educational and employment ecosystems, the migration of students to North Indian institutions can be reduced. This way, the students can be encouraged to stay put here for meeting their higher educational needs, as well.
Efforts can be channeled to build strong ties between the institutions here and the universities abroad, which will go a long way in addressing the issues relating to the mass migration of students to foreign lands to pursue their higher studies. Student Exchange programmes, joint research projects, and cooperation in academic and research sectors can all be taken up as part of that.
Also, if the government provides assistance and guidance in matters like availing scholarships by those wanting to study abroad, or easing the visa procedures, then there are more chances of the talents coming back to the state after completing their education.
An integrated approach focusing on developing excellent educational and job opportunities, modern communication facilities, and the overall standard of living is needed to tide over the challenges posed by mass migration. The students, upon enjoying the benefits of diversified and high-quality education, will show more interest to pursue higher education in their own communities or regions or motherland.
Inter-disciplinary approach needed
Traditionally, higher education revolves around specific subjects. This leads to the creation of experts in specific fields. However, with the changing dynamics of the modern world, the interdisciplinary approach has been recognised as an international standard. The higher education institutions in Kerala have recognized the importance of interdisciplinary learning and included it in the curriculum. This approach encourages students to acquire knowledge in multiple subjects and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and a comprehensive understanding.
The advantages of an interdisciplinary approach are many. It allows students to connect knowledge from different fields. It equips them to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of the new age. By resolving the barriers between subjects, students gain a broader perspective and become multifaceted professionals equipped to deal with complex issues. Moreover, the interdisciplinary approach promotes creativity and enhances communication skills. It equips graduates for a rapidly evolving job market that requires multidisciplinary expertise.
Though specialisation is valuable, there are growing concerns about the over-emphasis on super specialisation in higher education. Educational institutions in Kerala responded to this concern and encouraged students to pursue interdisciplinary programmes that balance between specialization and the breadth of knowledge. By offering flexible course structures and encouraging students to study a wide range of subjects, universities in the state promote excellent education that equips graduates for a diverse career.
Revamp curriculum to match industrial requirements
The preparation of a curriculum to suit requirements of the industry or market is vital in ensuring adequate employment opportunities for fresh graduates. The institutions of higher education in Kerala have responded positively to this trend by beginning to revamp their academic programmes. Through constant interactions with industry professionals, employers, and former students, these institutions continue to develop a vision of the ever-expanding needs of the job market.
Varsities have started updating their curriculum to integrate relevant industry-based skills such as data analytics, digital marketing, artificial intelligence, and entrepreneurship. The students, on the other hand, develop their understanding of the global situation through practical training sessions, internships, industry projects, etc, which, in turn, will raise their employment potential. Such an industry-oriented approach will not just help students prepare for the job market but will also lead to the creation of expert professionals who can contribute immensely to the state’s economic growth.
Restructure academic programmes
One of the primary areas that should undergo a corrective process is the syllabus itself. A bulk of the academic programmes offered by the institutes of higher education have become obsolete, thus failing to suit the ever-evolving requirements of the job market. There is an urgent need to introduce programmes based on skills, interdisciplinary studies, and updated courses that reflect the industrial requirement and promote modernization. By restructuring the syllabi, students will be able to obtain practical experience and develop relevant skills in accordance with the changing times.
Tutor empowerment
In a world where knowledge and technology are progressing at lightning speed, teachers too are required to renew their skill sets. They play a key role in building the future of our society by imparting knowledge and enriching young minds. To accomplish this duty in a responsible manner, they should get the chance for up-skilling regularly. This will help the teachers to update themselves on the latest streams of knowledge, teaching methods, technological advancements, etc.
Educational institutes should permit all their faculty members to attend workshops, seminars, and training programmes that promote skill development. Such initiatives can encompass different aspects such as the modern technology that aid teaching, restructuring of syllabus, valuation methods and integration of education and technology, among several others. The quality of education imparted to students too improves by developing the skill sets of their teachers.
By linking up the education sector with industry, the gap between theoretical knowledge and its practical application can be effectively bridged. Teachers can improve teaching methods and students can have better learning experience through industrial exposure via internships. Exposure to real-time job situations will also help teachers deepen their understanding of industrial requirements, current trends, the latest technology, etc. This hands-on experience will also improvise their teaching methods by including practical examples and case studies. Further, the interactions with industry professionals will develop new viewpoints and enable the teachers to create connections that will help both the academics as well as the Corporate world.
While the administrative interventions by organisations such as the National Assessment And Accreditation Council (NAAC) and National Board of Accreditation (NBA) are vital in ensuring quality education, administrative requirements too are required to ensure the comprehensive development of the teachers.
(The author is the Director of CUSAT Centre for Budget Studies)