Union Minister Piyush Goyal inaugurated the online bilingual BBA program of IIM Udaipur. He said that this course will reduce the rural-urban gap and will make management education accessible to a larger section of the society. He also emphasized on hybrid model and practical learning.
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has said that technology-enabled, bilingual management education can help bridge the rural-urban gap, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. By imparting management education in simple and easily understood language, it can have a wide impact.
Virtually addressing the inauguration of the online bilingual Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Udaipur on Monday, the minister described the initiative as a major step towards increasing access to high-quality management education through technology, according to the release.
Goyal said the bilingual nature of the programme, being in Hindi and English, will help convey the credibility and quality of IIM education to a larger section of people. He expressed confidence that this undergraduate program will serve India and Indian industry and emerge as a successful initiative.
The Minister said that there are about 100 crore internet users in India and stressed the need to use technology and digital mediums to provide good quality education on a large scale, in line with the New Education Policy. He said the virtual learning model should be expanded across the country, adding that digital technology and online education were growing rapidly.
“IIM classes will now be visible on screens,” the minister said, noting that the program can reach everyone from a small shop in Bhilwara to people living in Bastar. He said that this program can be accessed on screen, laptop or even smartphone and hence it will be very important. He said that while the program will be delivered online, the examinations will be conducted offline, thereby ensuring that there is no lack of accountability.
4 suggestions given to strengthen the program
Goyal also gave four suggestions to strengthen the program. First, he said the hybrid model should include monthly faculty visits whenever possible and provide opportunities for students to meet in different locations. He stressed the importance of soft-skill development, including deep knowledge of technology, communication skills, teamwork, cultural exchange and human interaction, saying such a focus would benefit students. He also called for experiential learning through on-site visits to factories, ports and industrial clusters, and said such experiences would help students gain practical management experience.
“Goyal expressed confidence that the first batch will create history. He said the students have an important opportunity and expressed confidence that they will utilize it well and prepare themselves for the future,” the release said.
Role of technology in education
Highlighting the role of technology in transforming education, Piyush Goyal said that although COVID-19 had many harmful effects, it also linked education to technology and gave EdTech an important role. “During the lockdown, when schools and colleges were closed, many educational programs went online. As a result, edtech companies emerged not just as helpful tools, but as a necessity,” Goyal said.
Changing world and management needs
The Minister said that the world is changing rapidly, with Artificial Intelligence and emerging technology changing the needs of management, adding, “Dynamic learning is becoming increasingly prominent, while skill development centers and placements are also constantly changing from traditional jobs to unique requirements.”
Goyal said virtual interaction across different time zones has made it possible to impart education in a faster, simpler and efficient manner. Drawing an analogy with India’s free trade agreement negotiations, he said free trade agreements are made with countries with different time zones and most of the work is now done virtually.
Global recognition of IIM brand
Referring to the global positioning of the Indian Institute of Management, Goyal said the IIM brand is recognized across the world of management. He said that whether it is the boardrooms of Mumbai or Manhattan, New York, the IIM brand represents institutions that prepare youth for the challenges of management.
He said that IIMs will enhance the pride of India at home and abroad and will play an important role in encouraging people to become future leaders and entrepreneurs. (ANI)
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