1.1.1.6 Theme: Digital Transformation (DT) of Educational Institutions
Problem: DT should have a wider emphasis on the university education system which should include the redesign of the management of corporate IT architecture, which could make an important contribution to structuring innovation efforts in education [19]. Tremendous pain and insecurity have prevailed in the minds of our students and their parents and teachers as well. All were passing through uncertainty keeping future at stake. As there is scope of everything in India, the young generation is keen to learn new technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) that are the value propositions to the society [20]. Adoption issue of technology is the biggest challenge. But user experience was most intuitive and innovative. Thus, it became a student centric education where joy of learning took place in multidisciplinary activities. Technology is an enabler. The most important thing is to build the workforce. Hopefully, conventional system of education is going to be a matter of the past. Challenges faced are properly understood and accepted for better educational facilities. Institutions are now looking ahead for Human Development Index thereby adding value to the lives of students and trying to make them more educated in this pandemic. Software adopted by the institutions should be flexible and agile to bring down the cost to observe that operational excellence can happen. Costs are becoming exorbitant. Teachers these days have to be more scientific in online classes, students’ assessments and inclined towards learning processes.
Overcome
These are some of the relevant topics and discussions to the current scenario in India’s education sector. They are discussed in a brief manner.
Many live webinars and conferences have been conducted internationally and nationally. There are sponsored workshops been conducted by TEQIP III, Indian Academicians and Researchers Association (IARA), AICTE, IQAC Cell, National Project Implementation Unit (NPIU), ASMA, and Institutions of Indian Council (IIC). The projects are sponsored by the HRD Ministry, Government of India.
Technology has played a crucial role in managing new admissions cycle over the course of the pandemic. Students are engaged through virtual means including webinars and video lectures. Starting from student admission to placements, virtual mode of communication has been conducted. Technology, thus, has enhanced the learning process.
Every higher education institution introspects during pandemic. Technology resistance, adaptation and penetration have become major issues but still every institution has adopted the best method of learning management system and online plus face-to-face learning to remain competitive. On the way digital has been used to create a unified digital experience for students throughout the education process.
Admission of any institution is driven by Alumni. Alumni are the right mitigator for the admission process. Then Parents are the major stakeholders for admission and lastly media and association with professional bodies help in the admission process. Blended learning is the matter of this period, pandemic. MOOCs, Coursera and Swayam have been developed. YouTube Channel, e-PG Pathshala, Shodhganga, e-Shodh Sindhu and Vidwan are the means of using the contents by the students for knowledge enrichment. Application of data science in Admission is the talk of the situation. Many integrated courses have been introduced to attract the talented students towards the universities for admission. Therefore, digital marketing has played a significant role in almost all the universities in India [21].
In India, many institutes have used Google classroom, Google hangout, Zoom Meeting, Cisco-Webex Meeting, You Tube streaming, and Microsoft Team for synchronous classes very successfully [22].
Eminent personalities such as Vice-Chancellors, and Dean Admission and Placements opined about robust digital marketing to be implemented in higher educational institutions such as both teachers and students’ testimonials should float in the web and 360-degree virtual digitization in the campus should be implemented. Another aspect is health which is of major concern. Hence, cleanliness of the institute and proper health center maintenance information need to be provided to parents virtually.
1.1.1.7 School and College Closures
Problems: School and college closures not only impact students and teachers but also have far-reaching economic and social implications [23]. Homelessness, food security, housing, childcare, internet, disability services, digital learning and student debt are various economic and social issues in response to the pandemic. Pandemic impacted more on disadvantaged children and their families causing childcare problems, intermittent learning, compromised nourishment and economic cost consequences to families who could not work. Students from poor households remained engaged in generating income for their survival from formal education. Pandemic is now evolving into a human tragedy [24]. Again, modern culture is gradually strangling us from our true existence, making it very convenient for us to live lives that lack meaning. On a daily basis, powerful forces and rewards (money, power, attention, achievement) distract us; do not let them take over one’s life.
Overcome
Preventive measures such as social distancing has to be undertaken is an official message from the Health Ministry;
Postponement of devotees to visit temples;
Under home quarantine;
Placing and using of hand sanitizers in maximum places in the city by the people is mandated;
Keeping yourself in isolation after detected COVID-19 positive; and
Face mask is under compulsion for one and all.
Another way of remaining happy is the Japanese concept “IKIGAI”—a justification to get out of bed every morning. The intersection of what you are good at and what you love to do is ikigai, says Hector Garcia. Find where it is, and don’t be scared to pursue it [25]. Ikigai is seen as the confluence of four major components, (i) what you’re in love with; (ii) what the world wants; (iii) what you are excellent at; and (iv) what you should get remunerated for. It is said that finding one’s own ikigai brings fulfilment, pleasure and helps to live longer.
Want to find an Ikigai of yours? Four questions need to be asked are:
1 (a) What am I going to love?
2 (b) What good am I at?
3 (c) What am I going to pay for now, or something that might turn into my future hustle?
4 (d) What is it that the world needs?
Ikigai’s ten rules are: (i) remain active; don’t retire; (ii) take it slowly; (iii) don’t fill your stomach; (iv) surround yourself with good friends; (v) get in form for your next birthday; (vi) smile; (vii) re-join with nature; (viii) give appreciations; (ix) live instant; and (x) follow your ikigai.
1.2 Conclusions
Our society must preserve both lives and livelihoods. Nature and trend of new business would be emerging such as Industry 4.0, telemedicine, automation, deep learning, machine learning, and Artificial based instruments. To do so, India needs to consider a concerted set of fiscal, monetary, and structural measures and explore ways to return from the COVID-19 outbreak. Training is imperative for employees to avoid cybercrimes in order to safeguard their assets, customer data and reputation. The theories of emotional intelligence emphasize on the evaluation and assessment of the emotional skills and thereby believes to be properly understood, analyzed and managed by the people themselves to enhance the quality of life at work. Government is taking initiatives for such a large number of migrant labors to generate employment. A Harvard study stated that survival of the quickest is the one who is going to survive. Peer to peer learning is very important. India is going to play a very crucial role in the process of virtual reality