Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Higher education

In a interesting article titled in search of learning, the author remarks,

IN today’s system of higher education in India, we seem to have ignored such ideas and concepts. Young people generally opt for courses that will ensure a rewarding career. Money is the ultimate determinant. In taking up such courses, students pay scant attention to their own likes and dislikes, their inclinations and capabilities. Till recently, medicine and engineering were the top courses in demand. A medical course is now considered to be expensive and prolonged, with no guarantee of an immediate payback. Because it takes time to settle down as a doctor, more and more students are going in for computer engineering, information technology, management, animation and gaming. These subjects ensure remunerative jobs on graduation.No wonder the traditional arts and science courses have no takers. Students do not want to go in for pure sciences and mathematics. A leading scientist, CNR Rao, has drawn attention to this phenomenon. He has warned that if this goes on, there will be no “science teachers”. This can lead to disastrous consequences not least because science is the foundation of technology and without a sound foundation of science no country can progress. Scientific research can come to a standstill.



In the past month, I have got six emails from students in their final year of their undergraduate program asking me precisely the same question, "If I join IIT/IISc as a student, can I mint money after graduation?" The word used was "mint" and not make enough. I was tempted to reply, "The only way to mint money in India is to join the currency printing press in Nasik."

Seriously, any middle class family person needs to have a job with reasonable security and looks for education as an avenue to get it. As long as a degree in sciences does not promise the same, lesser number of people will take it even if there are several scholarships for studying science. In my opinion, the only to attract people to study science is to ensure a lucrative career after graduation.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sir - Very true. Thanks for your honest opinion. Although there is a certain amount of reluctance and holdback (and dishonesty) on the part of our intellectual class in highlighting this aspect. Currently, our science courses (BSc etc) in ordinary colleges are generally regarded as a sure shot passport to unemployment, forget abt a career, let alone a lucrative one! If the situation doesn't change, our science courses will eventually die a natural death, no matter who says what, regardless of scholarship hike etc.

reading said...

This is true now, have finally got the all higher education like the other country have best,and cheap as such like those countries...

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reading said...

Higher education is the really need of the at present for all student those who want the success in the world...
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reading said...

It is the very higher education which helps the people to achieve their highest goals in their lives.Expat
it is really helps to think over higher levels of any issue of one's life...

Anonymous said...

>In my opinion, the only >to attract people to >study science is to >ensure a lucrative career >after graduation.....

and to instill a sense of fun in whatever profession they chose or land up in instead of making it as a burden.

Anonymous said...

Yes,it is very much true that students these days are very much interested to opt for pure sciences and mathematic courses especially in graduation.this is so bcoz there is no future scope for them after their graduation.they have to ither do some pitty marketing jobs or have to work as clerks in banks and offices.we donot offer them employment in scientific and research areas.if they want a bright future they have to study in some really top and good univ. like iisc or iit or nit or some central univ. and there will be a whole hell lot of competition and a mere 200 seats.first we should provide some source of dignity to their life after their education if they opt for such subjects. then only students will show interest to opt these subjects.