Global Science Innovation Advisory Council

Why in news?

Visiting Malaysian PM who presided over Global Science Innovation Advisory Council (GSIAC) said India to reap its demographic dividend has to renovate and reinvent its education system.

What is GSIAC?

• GSIAC is a joint initiative between the Malaysia Industry-Government Group for High Technology (MIGHT) and the New York Academy of Sciences.
• The new York Academy of sciences is  the world's nexus of scientific innovation in the service of humanity.
• For nearly 200 years—since 1817—the Academy has brought together extraordinary people working at the frontiers of discovery and promoted vital links between science and society.
• Academy's Membership has featured leaders in science, business, academia, and government, including U.S. Presidents .
• Today, the Academy President's Council includes 30 Nobel Laureates as well as CEOs, philanthropists, and leaders of national science funding agencies.
• One of their programmes includes Scientists without Borders.

What reform needed in India’s education sector?

• First, our streams of education should change.
• We need inter-disciplinary approaches in education.
• But, our current regulatory systems do not provide this space though a large number of private universities are attempting to play the game.
• Second, a lot is said about experiential learning.
• But we have not ensured that our teachers and research guides un-learn and re-learn how to impart such experiences.
• Mostly, these approaches stop at the level of advertisements.
• Third, self-learning and peer-learning has to be promoted.
• Examination based education will compromise our abilities to design jobs for the future.
• This needs support from parents, teachers (read mentors), prospective employers and policymakers.
• Finally, we need education and training that responds to societal needs and challenges.
• If artificial intelligence is to rule the science and technology world in the next few decades, we cannot be training students in age-old subjects.

Source: Hindu Business Line