A new report says India must add 86.11 million students to higher education by 2035. This is an 85% jump from now. It needs steady 5.3% growth each year in seats and teachers. The goal is to hit 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) under New Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The report, "Continuous Improvement Journey of Higher Education Institutions," comes from Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Grant Thornton Bharat. It is based on talks with over 10 northern universities and other research.
Old-style colleges alone can't handle this big need. So, India needs a mixed approach.
Technology-based learning must be used more widely. Digital universities will play an important role. Virtual learning platforms will help reach more students. Online, credit-based courses will make education flexible. These options will allow more students to join, even without going to a physical campus.
By 2030, 40% of job skills will change. So, colleges are focusing more on helping students get jobs. They are adding short skill courses called micro-credentials. They are using flexible credit systems. Students are getting more chances to learn through real work. AI is being used to make assessments better. Colleges are also working more closely with industries.
As technology grows and the world changes, education also needs to change. Students learn in new ways now. So, colleges are trying new and better ideas. They are making classes more flexible. They are improving how things work on campus. They are also using more technology. This makes studying and teaching easier. It also makes office work faster. Today, technology is important in almost every part of a college.
According to this report there is a need to improve higher education in today's world. It is not just a plan for the future. Colleges want more students to get a chance to study. They also want to make sure the education is good. So, the focus is on both access and quality. This will help more students learn better.
