Prakash Kamat in Panaji
August 9:
Vibrant Goa Knowledge Series:
‘Self learning can bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and present
education system’—Dr Raghunath Mashelkar
PANAJI: Padma Vibhushan scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar has emphasised the need for self-learning to bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and the present day education system in India.
The eminent scientist and chairman of the board of advisors of the Vibrant Goa Foundationwas addressing college students, entrepreneurs and members of the general public at the inaugural session of Vibrant Goa’s Knowledge Lecture series at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) near Panaji,Goa on Thursday.
The lecture series is a precursor to the
Vibrant Goa-Global Expo and Summit to be held in Goa between October 17-19 this year.
Dr
Mashelkar who was speaking on the topic of ‘Exponential Technology and future of jobs’
explained how the advent of technology like the internet, big data analysis, block chain,
robotics and artificial intelligence was making jobs redundant.
“The brawn is being looked after by robots and the brain is being looked after by artificial intelligence. In such a situation
what is left for the human beings to do?” asked Dr. Mashelkar.
However the eminent scientist said that the situation was not completely dismal. “Technology growth leads to more jobs. Young working professionals will need to have people skills,creativity and emotional intelligence to keep pace with the rapid technology growth,”Dr. Mashelkar said.
The scientist also cautioned that no industry and area of business will be spared in the face of rapidechnological growth.
“This will include the health care, media, nsurance, finance, education, marketing, advertising and legal professions among others,” he said.
Dr. Mashelkar advised the government to welcome technology, make technology transfer a precondition before issuing licences to foreign companies, improve the skill sets of workers in the small and medium scale companies and offer expert career counselling to the youth of our country.
Stressing the need for innovation, Dr. Mashelkar explained how innovation was capable of converting knowledge into money.
Citing the example of Harshvardhan Zhala, the young Indian teenager who recently designed a drone which could detect land mines and has managed to get a commitment from the Gujarat government for a Rs.5 crore manufacturing grant.
Dr. Mashelkar said, “Though India’s position on the global innovation index had improved from number 62 in 2011 to number 52 in 2019, it was still far behind China and this was a worrying thought.”
In the panel discussion which followed the lecture, Prof Varun Sahni, vice chancellor, Goa University highlighted the deficiencies in the Indian education system by stating, “We are teaching 21st century students, 20th century education material in 19th century institutions."
Adding his own perspective to the discussion, Dr. Mashelkar admitted that the skill gap was worrying.
“In China, they have begun teaching artificial intelligence in primary school while children in Amercian schools were comparatively more ready for a rapid technological change than elsewhere in the world,” Dr.Mashelkar said.
Mr. Nitin Kuncoliekar, Chairman, Vibrant Goa Foundation, Rajkumar Kamat, president, Vibrant Goa Foundation were among those present.(eom)
ĺ
August 9:
Vibrant Goa Knowledge Series:
‘Self learning can bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and present
education system’—Dr Raghunath Mashelkar
PANAJI: Padma Vibhushan scientist Dr Raghunath Mashelkar has emphasised the need for self-learning to bridge the gap between rapid technology growth and the present day education system in India.
The eminent scientist and chairman of the board of advisors of the Vibrant Goa Foundationwas addressing college students, entrepreneurs and members of the general public at the inaugural session of Vibrant Goa’s Knowledge Lecture series at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) near Panaji,Goa on Thursday.
The lecture series is a precursor to the
Vibrant Goa-Global Expo and Summit to be held in Goa between October 17-19 this year.
Dr
Mashelkar who was speaking on the topic of ‘Exponential Technology and future of jobs’
explained how the advent of technology like the internet, big data analysis, block chain,
robotics and artificial intelligence was making jobs redundant.
“The brawn is being looked after by robots and the brain is being looked after by artificial intelligence. In such a situation
what is left for the human beings to do?” asked Dr. Mashelkar.
However the eminent scientist said that the situation was not completely dismal. “Technology growth leads to more jobs. Young working professionals will need to have people skills,creativity and emotional intelligence to keep pace with the rapid technology growth,”Dr. Mashelkar said.
The scientist also cautioned that no industry and area of business will be spared in the face of rapidechnological growth.
“This will include the health care, media, nsurance, finance, education, marketing, advertising and legal professions among others,” he said.
Dr. Mashelkar advised the government to welcome technology, make technology transfer a precondition before issuing licences to foreign companies, improve the skill sets of workers in the small and medium scale companies and offer expert career counselling to the youth of our country.
Stressing the need for innovation, Dr. Mashelkar explained how innovation was capable of converting knowledge into money.
Citing the example of Harshvardhan Zhala, the young Indian teenager who recently designed a drone which could detect land mines and has managed to get a commitment from the Gujarat government for a Rs.5 crore manufacturing grant.
Dr. Mashelkar said, “Though India’s position on the global innovation index had improved from number 62 in 2011 to number 52 in 2019, it was still far behind China and this was a worrying thought.”
In the panel discussion which followed the lecture, Prof Varun Sahni, vice chancellor, Goa University highlighted the deficiencies in the Indian education system by stating, “We are teaching 21st century students, 20th century education material in 19th century institutions."
Adding his own perspective to the discussion, Dr. Mashelkar admitted that the skill gap was worrying.
“In China, they have begun teaching artificial intelligence in primary school while children in Amercian schools were comparatively more ready for a rapid technological change than elsewhere in the world,” Dr.Mashelkar said.
Mr. Nitin Kuncoliekar, Chairman, Vibrant Goa Foundation, Rajkumar Kamat, president, Vibrant Goa Foundation were among those present.(eom)
ĺ
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