India’s Techade: PM Modi appraises and appreciates IIT and IISc futuristic researches in a virtual meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Directors of Centrally Funded Technical Institutions on 8th July 2021 via video conferencing. More than 100 Heads of Institutions joined the Prime Minister for this interaction. The PM lauded the R&D work of these institutions towards meeting the challenges posed by Covid. He also appreciated the efforts of young innovators towards providing quick technological solutions, for present and the future "techade".

Prime Minister said that there is a need to adapt higher education and technical education to keep in tune with the changing environment and emerging challenges. He added that this requires the institutions to reinvent and reevaluate themselves. They also need to develop alternative and innovative models per the present and future needs of the country and society. He emphasized that our higher educational and technical institutions need to prepare our youth for continuous disruptions and changes; keeping in mind the fourth industrial revolution.

Prime Minister underlined the need to progress towards education models. He added that these need to be flexible, seamless. They also should be able to provide learning opportunities as per the requirements of the learners. He said that access, affordability, equity, and quality should be the core values of such education models. PM Modi appreciated the improvement in the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in higher education in the past few years. He also emphasized that the digitization of higher education can play a big role in increasing GER; students will have easier access to good quality and affordable education. Prime Minister also lauded the various initiatives taken by the institutions to increase digitization. These included online bachelor and master degree programmes.

India’s Techade

PM added that we need to develop an ecosystem of technological education in Indian languages and translate global journals into regional languages. He said that ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ will form the basis of the dreams and aspirations of India in the coming 25 years when we celebrate 100 years of Independence. He added that technological, R&D institutions will play a major role in the upcoming decade or "India’s Techade".

Prime Minister said that we need to focus on developing futuristic solutions in fields of education, healthcare, agriculture, defence, and cyber technologies. Prime Minister highlighted that it is important there is good quality infrastructure in higher educational institutions to ensure that products associated with Artificial Intelligence, smart wearables, augmented reality systems, and digital assistants reach the common man. He emphasized that we should focus on affordable, personalized, and AI-driven education.

Work-in-progress in these institutes

During the interaction, Prof. Govindan Rangarajan of IISc Bangalore, Prof. Subhasis Chaudhuri of IIT Bombay, Prof. Bhaskar Ramamurthi of IIT Madras, and Prof. Abhay Karandikar of IIT Kanpur, gave presentations to the Prime Minister and highlighted various ongoing projects, academic work. They also showcased the new research being done in the country for the Indian Techade.

The IISc Bangalore team shared an interesting presentation on their key R&D initiatives in areas like robotics, efforts in education such as training maths/science teachers, COVID-19 work. They emphasised the need to give importance to health in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. The IIT Bombay team further presented their research on extensive work in technology for conversion of nitrogen generator to oxygen generator, cell therapy for a cancer cure. They also talked about their academic innovations like starting LASE programme, Masters in Digital Health, AI and Data Science. IIT Madras talked about COVID mitigation efforts and their enhanced digital coverage across India.

Taking to Twitter, the PM also applauded the works of IIT Kanpur:

Proud to see @IITKanpur become a hub for futuristic research and innovations in blockchain technologies, monitoring air quality, electronic fuel injections and more. The support being given to start-ups, upskilling of professionals will greatly benefit India’s Yuva Shakti.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2021

Other initiatives

The Prime Minister was apprised about the Covid related research being done that encompasses developing new techniques for testing, Covid vaccine development efforts, indigenous oxygen concentrators, Oxygen generators, Cancer Cell Therapy, Modular hospitals, Hotspot prediction, Ventilators production. Efforts in the fields of Robotics, Drones, Online education, Battery technology. The Prime Minister was also informed about new academic courses, especially the online courses that are being developed, as per the changing nature of the economy and technology.

Union Education Minister and Ministers of State for Education were also present during the interaction.