Kalpesh Banker, EduShine Search Partners

Higher Education in India is going through transformative changes to enhance the skills and employability of aspirants across the educational streams and specializations.

The future of higher education is evolving. New trends are making a beeline, and tech influence is increasing daily. The business turbulence is also causing significant alterations, with the focus of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) shifting to practical, hands-on training. Education policies are going through seismic shifts, prompting universities to explore new horizons beyond their conventional territories. So, what key trends are impacting learning and employability in the higher education domain? Here’s a close look:

a) Micro-Degrees: Focused on enhancing the specific skill in demand, micro-degrees are gaining huge popularity among the higher education ecosystem. These degrees are specialised in nature and can be completed quickly in comparison to conventional ones. Corporate firms specifically like the micro-degrees as they allow them to fill in relevant positions with competent employees and that too without much delay. Against the observation of the India Skills Report 2024, which found only 48% of graduates to be employable, the approach of Micro-Degrees has the game-changing potential to boost skills and employability among students in the future.

b) Tech Integration: EdTech market in India is growing at a CAGR of 39% and will touch $10.4 bn by 2025. These figures are a testament to the ever-growing role of tech in the higher education ecosystem. From AI to ML and Metaverse, tech innovations are making their way into the higher education ecosystem like never before. The technology integration also enables personalised learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace. AR and VR tools have become part of immersive learning, and their use in simulations to train firefighters, pilots, surgeons, etc., is proving enormously beneficial.

c) Prioritising Research & Innovation: India has moved 6 pedestals up and reached 40th position in the Global Innovation Index in 2023. This is on account of the multi-disciplinary approach that the higher education system takes towards Research and Innovation. NEP 2020 has played a crucial role in catalyzing innovation, and with universities involving industry in curriculum design, the solutions to real-world problems are happening at a pace never seen before. Going forward, the focus shifts to research that is relevant for the larger welfare of the masses around the globe. No wonder issues such as global warming, water conservation, and equitable development are becoming the centre of research among leading global universities.

d) Global Degrees: The Higher Education Ecosystem is opening itself for the global players. The very first manifestation of this collaboration is the Dual-Degrees that are today being offered by multiple universities in India. Under the format, Aspirants can get a dual degree by completing part of the education in India and abroad. As global exposure is critical for enhanced understanding of students, this format is increasingly becoming popular among learners across streams. Immersion programs, a short-duration stint, are also becoming popular with many HEIs offering these opportunities to make their students more dynamic and vibrant.

e) EQ and Mental Health: Industries today recognise the importance of mental health and emotional resilience. Employees having high emotional stability often outperform their peers. Taking a cue from this, universities have also started attaching significance to psychological well-being. Many HEIs today offer Wellness Programs and run Counselling Services to support their students. The idea is to strengthen Students Emotionally so that they can navigate the work pressure and tight deadlines of the corporate world. In addition, HEIs are also training students on aptitude, critical thinking, and leadership, as these soft skills are very crucial to progress in the industry.

f) Sustainability Focus: With global warming threatening dangerous consequences, HEIs and universities are embracing sustainability with open arms. The rise of Green Campuses powered by solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and recycling practices is well appreciated by society as a whole. Courses and programs are increasingly mapped with SDGs, with many universities started running full-fledged courses on Sustainability, such as ESG, Circular Economy, etc. The trend will pick up pace in future as demand for specialised courses in Sustainability will only grow further.

Trends mentioned above are likely to play a crucial role in transforming learning and employability dimensions of learners globally. From micro-degrees to tech integration, HEIs are striking a balance between imparting knowledge and training aspirants. The focus on research and innovation is also directed to transform learners’ experience and make them more employable. Further, Universities are going global and by focusing on mental health and sustainability, these HEIs are paving the way for developing efficient and responsible leaders of tomorrow.

Also read: 5 Emerging Trends Shaping Higher Education Leadership in India