India & Education: A dilemma & a Solution

Distance Education is the answer for India to be developed by 2020

The largest democracy in the world is a complex nation with a host of diversitie
s, cultures and ethnic variations that change with every state and region. Yet i
n this diversity lies the strength that makes India special. A nation full of pr
omises, firmly etched on the world map as a power to look forward to finds itsel
f lacking in one major front. Itâ s the inability to make education reach out to on
e and all. India is the seventh largest nation in the world in terms of area, th
e second most populous country after China and has the maximum population in ter
ms of youth. Youth has the power and is the future but lack of higher education
is proving to be a thorn in the countryâ s path to being a developed nation by 2020
.
India comprises of 28 states and 7 union territories, some of which are located
across the most dangerous and inaccessible terrain which means setting up perman
ent infrastructures is not the solution. How to set up colleges that can accommo
date more than half a billion youth? Itâ s neither feasible nor practically possibl
e. The only ray of hope is distance education. Distance learning mode has come o
f age and can reach anyplace at anytime.
Distance education is without barriers, time or space and involves no economic c
onstraints. In India itself we have pioneers in this field namely Sikkim Manipal
University, Symbiosis Institute and IGNOU. Of these top 3, Sikkim Manipal Unive
rsity reaches across 310 towns in the country and has more than 4 lakh students
on its rolls. The statistics indicate the power of distance education and is a r
ole model for others to follow. Technology has helped increase interactivity and
recognition of education through the distance mode. Sikkim Manipal University l
eads on this front as well with its interactive next generation learning system
EduNxt. Winner of 'Digital Learning ICT Enabled University of the Year,' 2009, E
duNxt allows students to access video lectures, industry presentations, counsell
ing, industry mentor chats and online library at any time of their convenience.
To be the next superpower we need to educate our youth so that they can be the e
ffective leaders of tomorrow. Education empowers to take on responsibility and g
et grounding in life. In Indiaâ s scenario distance education is the most viable al
ternative to reach a sustainable development in all aspects of the nationâ s growth
and prosperity in the years ahead.
To know more about MBA degree visit www.smude.edu.in/MBA