FICCI HIGHER EDUCATION SUMMIT 

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) organized 10th FICCI Higher Education Summit 2014, a global conference on 13th November, 2014. Advisor (R&D), Prof. TPN Singh along with 23 students attended the inaugural function as invitees. The students comprised of ECE – 6, ME – 6, CE – 3, CSE – 4, IT – 2 and EEE – 2.

The theme of the summit was on Internationalization of Higher education and implementation framework for vision 2030 for higher education in India. It covered the following topics:

1. Deliberations on policy roadmap and other topical issues in Higher education

2. Updates on issues and implications pertinent to the sector

3. FICCI Higher education awards

4. Poster presentation

5. Informal interactions among important stakeholders

6. Delegate Participation: Footfall of 650 delegates with substantial foreign participation

Cross section of the audience represented Universities/Higher educational Institutions, Think tanks/Govt., Corporates and Industry, Banks and Financial Institutions, International organizations and Associations etc.

The Chief Guest of the function was Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India. The distinguished speakers were:

The Rt. Hon. Greg Clark - Minister of state for Universities, UK

The Hon. Nikki Haley - Governor South Carolina, USA

Prof. Mohandas Pai - Chairman FICCI Higher Education Committee

Prof. Rajan Saxena - Vice Chancellor, Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies

Mr. Avinash Vashistha - CMD, Accenture India

The moderator of the progam was Ms. Shobha Mishra Ghosh, Senior Director, FICCI.

Mr. Greg Clark highlighted the current opportunities for developing the academic links between India and the UK.He pointed out the outstanding successes achieved by Indians in UK and confirmed sending of British students to Indian Universities in the coming year. He lauded the Indian Govt. for their open ended policies in the Education sector and averred that UK will do likewise.

Ms. Nikki Haley said that she was overwhelmingly proud to be of Indian origin and happy to observe the new India in all its splendor. She spoke at length on the progress and development of the state of South Carolina from the brink of disaster after the closure of Textile Industries. She invited Indian students and Business community to visit her state and share the technological advances of the two countries.

The Chief Guest, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani,Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resource Development, Government of India thanked the Prime Minister for giving special status to Higher Learning in India. She dwelt upon the Skills development of students and gave a comprehensive understanding of programs needed by graduating students. She emphasized on the critical success factors for skill building for gainful outputs. Indian education system is thousands of years old and Universities like Nalanda and Takshila are standing proof of the proud Indian heritage.

Mr. Mohandas Pai, Mr. Rajan Saxena and Mr. Avinash Vashistha spoke on the roadmap to achieve an aspirational, transformative and innovative Higher Education sector. They envisaged making India a global hub in Higher education by encouraging global leadership, creating international campuses and inspiring Indian Universities to figure in the top 200 list.

FICCI announced the Higher education awards as follows :

1. BITS,Pilani - Excellence in Teaching and Creativity

2. Tamil Nadu University of Agriculture – Overall excellence in the area of agricultural development

3. Manipal University – Proficiency In education sector and innovations

4. Lifetime achievement award – Prof Madhu Menon for judicial education

The students had good exposure and were very upbeat with the talks rendered by the distinguished guests. They were made aware of the importance of skills set and how globally the matter is of grave concern.