Virtualization of Classrooms - AIKYA Business Solution

Globalization and technological change processes that have accelerated in tandem over the past years have created a new global economy; Powered by technology, fuelled by information and driven by knowledge. The emergence of this new global economy has serious implications for the nature and purpose of imparting new-age learning. Access to information continues to grow exponentially, institutions cannot remain mere venues for the transmission of a prescribed set of information from teacher/trainer to student/participant over a fixed period of time. Rather institutions must promote the acquisition of knowledge and skills that make possible continuous learning over the lifetime. The illiterate of the 21st century according to futurist Alvin Toffler, ―”Will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, Unlearn & relearn”, Concerns over educational relevance and quality to co-exist with the imperative of expending learning opportunities to those made most vulnerable by globalization – developing countries in general, low income groups, girls and women and low skilled workers in particulars. Global changes also put pressure on all groups to constantly acquire and apply new skills. The international Labor organization defines the requirements for education and training in the new global economy simply as; Basic education for all: Core work skills for all and: Lifelong learning for all.

There is a huge Industry – Employability disconnect in India right now as illustrated by the figures below:

• By 2030, India will have 432 million people who are unemployed or are unable to participate in the job market
• Every year 13 million people enter the job market but only 8 million are hired
• Nearly 85% graduates and 75% engineers do not have employable skills
• Less than 10% of people above the age of 15 have college degrees
• Only 2% of people above the age of 15 have a technical degree or diploma

It is becoming increasingly clear that as India transitions to a ‘Knowledge economy’ we need to focus on advancement of skills that are relevant to the emerging economic environment while ensuring that the basic skills required for Manufacturing industries are strengthened. These skill sets could vary from professional, conceptual, managerial, operational, and behavioural to interpersonal skills and inter-domain skills. The challenges to providing skills and vocational training that will equip the youth in gaining ‘meaningful’ employment in a changing economy includes lack of qualified teachers, industry-relevant curriculum and inadequate infrastructure.

A Planning Commission report on Skills Development states that “The existing institutions lack financial and administrative autonomy. The testing, certification and accreditation system is weak, and since the deliverables are not precisely defined, there is no effort at evaluating outcomes and tracking placements.”

• It further asserts that 80% of new entrants to workforce have no opportunity for skill training. Against 12.8 million new entrants to the workforce every year the existing training capacity is 3.1 million per annum.
• In India, about 2% of existing workforce has skill training against 96% in Korea, 75% in Germany, 80% in Japan, and 68% in the United Kingdom.

A recent report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has estimated that India would face ‘talent gap’ of more than 5 million by 2012, as existing educational institutions do not impart employable skills. So how can we effectively bridge the demand-supply gap for skilled manpower?

AIKLUVYA: AIKYA’s innovative and comprehensive “ALL IN ONE MULTIPURPOSE EDUCATION ENABLED DEVICE” is a revolutionary technology intervention, a one-of-a-kind in the world that’s strength lies in its simplicity of operation, ruggedness, longevity and it being theft proof. “ALL IN ONE MULTIPURPOSE EDUCATION ENABLED DEVICE” has been successfully implemented across India and facilitating several hours of education/knowledge delivery. Also, AIKYA’s related online content and learning management solution has been custom built to address the need and bridge the gap as described above.

AIKYA not only provides the technology framework and of the solution, but also provides the required technical content, usage training, man power support and all other supporting facilities in order to ensure usability, easy uptake and the success of this program.