Dr Ajeenkya Patil talks about the impact of Covid-19

Dr Ajeenkya D Y Patil, Chairman, Ajeenkya DY Patil University (ADYPU)

Dr Ajeenkya Patil

Ajeenkya D Y Patil is an Indian educationist and economist. He is Chairman of the D Y Patil Group, Chancellor of Ajeenkya D Y Patil University, and Pro-chancellor of the Dr. D. Y. Patil University.

Here in this interview, Ajeenkya D Y Patil would like to share his thoughts on “How covid-19 has affected the education system and the benefits of online education”.

What is the current state of the education sector in India?

The education ecosystem in India is undergoing a positive transformation. Globalisation has brought the best practices from around the world within the reach of educational institutions in India and they are aggressively pursuing this evolution. Institutions are increasingly investing in technology and student success.

How the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the education sector? What have been the learnings after more than a year of e-learning?

The pandemic has put a lot of things in perspective, and I think the very concept of education as we impart it, is one. The purpose of education has always been an act of transferring knowledge to empower young minds, and that will never change. But the world is a very connected one today and education must harness technology to enable a new environment that allows students to access learning opportunities beyond the physical walls of a classroom, and that is the learning each and every educational institution needs to come up with. Institutions must start looking at creating more learning opportunities of choice for their students. Instead of sequential delivery of curriculum, we can think of an on-demand curriculum. Such disruptive thinking can pave way for a real student-centric education system that we often talk about.

What is Ajeenkya DY Patil University doing to adapt to the current circumstances?

Ajeenkya DY Patil University provides a transformative educational experience that offers a global outlook and this has always been our philosophy. The current pandemic has only reinforced our belief in education beyond classrooms and harnessing the true power of learning, no matter where you are. Aside from gaining broad and deep knowledge inside the classroom, students can pursue internships at companies and take classes at prestigious partner universities in some of the most exciting cities around the world. The University has developed a future-oriented curriculum that continually develops the skills, knowledge, and attitudes that allow success in the chosen discipline while incorporating the most current developments in the field. In addition, Ajeenkya DY Patil University empowers its students to customize coursework through its flexible curriculum and encourages an interdisciplinary education model to ensure that you gain skills and knowledge in the area you love and you consider important for you to succeed.

In your opinion, will the current scenario change the education framework for the future, post-pandemic?

The pandemic has undoubtedly challenged established systems and processes in place. Schools and universities have grappled to reinvent a new learning system and students have had to adapt to the new ways, equally swiftly.

At Ajeenkya DY Patil University we shifted our focus from the mode of delivery of education to enhance the quality of our delivery. We turned our attention on the faculty and equipped them with the right tools, technology, training, and best practices that could make the transition seamless and optimised for the future. When the school gates open back up, I think it will be the learning from this time that will shape the future of on-campus education. We must focus on innovation, creativity, and collaboration so we can reap the benefits of an evolved learning ecosystem that thrives irrespective of where a student or faculty is accessing the system from.

Where according to you are the next steps educational institutions need to put in place to harness the potential of a truly global learning environment?

We need to bridge the gap between education and employability. Right from early years through to university graduates, we need to create and build leaders of tomorrow, not simply churn out good grades. Life skills that future-proof students for the real world are what Indian institutions need to focus more on.

For that to be accomplished, we need to radically shift the way we teach and re-evaluate the goals of a degree earned at the end of a student’s educational journey. How prepared will they be able to take on the task force? How resilient will they be to face challenges in this global working environment?

I strongly believe that a strong internship programme and a system of work credits need to be part of the requirements of an academic degree. Students should b able to experiment and taste different career paths before embarking on one. Education should be an experience that prepares students for the world.

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