National Digital University
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF Education
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 1277
ANSWERED ON: 25.07.2022
Raghu Ramakrishna Raju Kanumuru
Will the Minister of Education be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the National Digital University can solve the problem of shortage of seats in educational institutions in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government is focusing on five aspects related to education – universalization of quality education, skill development, urban planning, internationalization and (Animation Visual Effects Gaming Comic) AVGC; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and progress made by the Government in this regard?
ANSWER: MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUBHAS SARKAR)
(a) & (b) Govt of India in its Budget 2022 – 23 has announced establishment of Digital University to provide access to students across the country for world-class quality universal education with personalised learning experience at their doorsteps. This will be made available in different Indian languages and ICT formats. The University will be built on a networked hub-spoke model, with the hub building cutting edge ICT expertise. The best public universities and institutions in the country will collaborate as a network of hub – spokes.
As highlighted in the PM”s address at post – budget webinar on the Education and Skill sector, there is great potential in the National Digital University that can completely address the problem of shortage of seats in educational institutions in the country. Through the National Digital University, there will be unlimited seats for every subject preparing the youth for the current and future needs of learning and re-learning.
(c) & (d) Governments focus, as mentioned in PM”s address at post-budget webinar 2022 – 23 on Education and Skill sector, along the five aspects related to education and progress there-in, are as under:-
Universalization of Quality Education to expand our education system, improve its quality and increase the capacity of the education sector.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued Open and Distance Learning (ODL) Programmes and Online Programmes regulations (Sep 2020), followed by amendments (July 2021), and guidelines (Jan 2022) to allow HEIs to offer online and ODL programmes based on institutional quality. 60 HEIs offer 353 programs through these regulations under online mode.
Skill Development to develop a digital skilling ecosystem in the country.
A digital skilling portal https://1crore.aicte-india.org/ for skilling, reskilling, upskilling, internship, apprenticeship, and employment to One Crore students in the Emerging Technologies has been launched by AICTE on 6th June 2022.
Urban Planning and Design to integrate the ancient experience and knowledge of India with our education today.
AICTE has revised the model-curriculum for Town & Country Planning in 2022 by giving emphasis on subjects associated with ancient experience and knowledge of India.
Internationalization to encourage World-class foreign universities to come to India and institutes associated with fin-tech to invest in our industrial areas, like Gujarat International Finance Tec – City (GIFT) City.
The regulations in this regard are being finalised by International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA).
Animation Visual Effects Gaming Comic (AVGC) to harness Indian talent in the global employment market.
A sub committee on education, under national AVGC Task – Force, is chaired by All India Council for Technical Education and has identified various interventions including curriculum reforms for pedagogical innovations for the sector.