Calls for job-oriented courses, stronger research, sports and student support
Shimla: Education Minister Rohit Thakur has called for a major shift towards future-ready, skill-based and technology-driven higher education in the state, with greater focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), new-age and job-oriented courses, emerging technologies, research, sports and student well-being.
While chairing the 9th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Higher Education Council (HPSHEC) here today, he directed educational institutions to continuously upgrade courses and prepare students not only for today’s employment opportunities but also for the jobs, technologies and challenges of the future.
He directed the Higher Education department and institutions to identify and introduce more new-age, vocational and job-oriented courses and regularly update existing subjects according to changing technology and industry requirements.
He said that AI was no longer a subject of the future, it was already changing the way we work and learn. He said that students must be prepared for this change and the challenges it had brought to the education system. He directed that AI should not be limited to a few specialized courses and should be integrated with existing subjects and professional programmes as much as possible.
He said that agriculture and horticulture sectors could include AI-based farming and data analysis, tourism could incorporate digital and AI-based services, while areas such as forestry, disaster management, climate studies, healthcare, yoga and wellness, education, law, financial literacy, social work, psychology, nursing, physiotherapy, sports, hospitality, creative arts, design, music, entrepreneurship and management could be strengthened.
The Minister said that courses related to cyber security, data analytics, robotics, renewable energy, drone technology, GIS, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and other emerging fields should also be explored according to the requirements of the state and the employment market. He underscored that greater focus should be given to sports and sports-related education, with institutions encouraged to promote sporting talent, provide better training and facilities, and explore courses in sports science, fitness, nutrition, sports management and other emerging areas.
Students should not have to wait for the job market to change before our education system changes. We must anticipate future challenges and prepare our young people in advance, he said.
Rohit Thakur emphasised research on Himachal and Himalayan issues, including climate change, biodiversity, disaster management, agriculture, horticulture and sustainable development. He called for stronger research infrastructure, more grants, promotion of innovation and start-ups, and better academia-industry linkages through internships, placements and joint research.
Referring to the recent gathering of students at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, the Education Minister said that the education system must understand the aspirations and concerns of youth and provide them with appropriate institutional platforms for support and dialogue. “We have to be bold in our approach and channelise the energy of our youth in a positive direction. Our institutions must meet the expectations of students and provide them with academic, career and emotional support”, he said. He directed that counselling and student-support systems in higher educational institutions must be strengthened, with greater attention to mental well-being, career guidance and the overall development of students.
The Minister also reviewed the progress under NEP-2020 RUSA/PM-USHA and directed the concerned authorities to ensure effective implementation and proper utilization of resources. He welcomed the suggestions of members of the Council and assured to provide every possible support. He called for regular HPSHEC meetings to review decisions and effective implementation on the ground.
He said that Himachal had always been a frontrunner in education and the state must now take the next step towards a more modern, innovative and technology-driven education system.
HPSHEC Dr. Sarabjot Singh Behl, Secretary Education Rakesh Kanwar, Chairman Director Higher Education Suneeta Singh, Members of the Council and other senior officers were present in the meeting.
