Estrade Media Pte. Ltd., recently concluded the Estrade Education Conclave & Awards 2017 – Singapore, on 25th March 2017. Team Estrade got an exclusive opportunity to speak to Dr. Nripen Kumar Dutta, Founder & Principal, Miles Bronson Residential School, on this occasion. Following are the excerpts of our tete-a-tete with him. Dr. N.K.Dutta, has his schooling from Tuensang Govt. High School, Tuensang in Nagaland. After completing his pre-degree (Arts) from the renowned Cotton College, Guwahati, he completed his Bachelor and Masters in History from prestigious Kirorimal College under Delhi University. Further, he did his Bachelor of Education, Master of Education and Bachelor of Law from Gauhati University. He did his Ph.D in History from Tilak Maharashtra University , Pune. Presently, he is selected to pursue the Doctorate of Education program by the Exeter University, UK.
About Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati: Miles Bronson Residential School was founded in 1987 with only 17 students in a rented house. In 1990, the school was shifted to Beltola with 98 students. This number surged to 240 by 2002 and MBRS was shifted to its permanent complex at Borjhar, which today is spread over 28 acres of land and has a full capacity of 547 boarders, from different parts of the North East. In addition it houses 400 teaching, non-teaching and support staff.
The School has received affiliation and acredidation with national and international organizations which includes Indian Public School Copnference (IPSC), Round Square, The Boarding School Association (BSA), The Scholar’s Cup, The Reed Cross Society, International School Award (under British Council), International Award for Young People (IAYP) and the Aakash Institute
The School, ranked 2nd at the regional level and 9th in All India Co-ed Boarding Schools category 2016 (EducationWorld C-fore) at the national level is one of the most sought after boarding schools in the northeast today. The full fledged coeducational residential school where nearly 500 students study follow the CBSE Board, Delhi. It’s architectural design and infrastructure is quite at par with any state- of- the- art prestigious institutions of the world. Its clean green and serene campus is now conferred with Confederation of Indian Chambers and Industries (CII) & Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) first re-certified green school in the country.
- How do you feel on receiving the Estrade Education Award 2017 for Educational Entrepreneur of the Year?
I feel elated for getting this recognition at the national level. Furthermore, this motivates me with a deep sense of responsibility to take my vision to greater heights.
- How do you see the growth of Education and Skill Development initiatives in India Today?
Due to the growth of knowledge economics, digital revolution and globalisation, there is an immense space for opportunities which will require various skills, based on creativity, communication, problem solving and collaboration. In this context, it is commendable that both the Government of India and players from the private sectors are taking the initiatives for skill development. However, considering the fact that by 2020 more than 10 million jobs will require various diverse skills, so, we need to do much more now.
- Your views on the challenges faced by the Education and Skill Development industry?
We have seen that the traditional ways of learning, which are mostly based on theory, will never meet the requirement for skill based learning. Hence, a lot of innovations are required in the present education systems to develop practical, experimental and expeditionary learning.
- Your views on the ever changing demands in Job / Employment market that affects Education and Skill Development industry?
The changing scenario of the job market requires people with various skills and this can only come about when educational institutions will incorporate a curriculum meeting to these needs. Here much emphasis is to be made towards vocational education that is completely in tune with the latest in the industry.
- What’s your view on the demand for skilled professionals in both the organized and unorganized parts across sectors?
There is a growing demand for skilled personnel are both in the organized and unorganized sectors. By 2020, more than 10 million jobs are going to come out requiring skilled personnel. As large parts of unorganized sections of various industries are becoming organized, the demand for skilled workforce is bound to increase. Now, naturally, each industry has its own requirements, so the educational and skill development programs will have to change, revamp, etc., accordingly.
- There is so much stress on Engineering, Medical and MBA programs, a lot of this has been fuelled by the IT industry and related fields in our country, is this the only way to move ahead ?
No, I don’t think so. Besides these, there are lot of opportunities coming up in Healthcare, Biotechnology, Tourism, Aviation, Defence, Logistics, Trade Commerce and E-Commerce, Internet Banking, Games and Sports, Education etc. In today’s globalized market scenario, a company can be set up anywhere in the world to cater to far flung markets. So, today, in India, we are not just confined to the traditional corporate job/roles and likewise, the educational programs are continuously being customized for industry requirements.
- Do you see FDI in the education sector coming to India in a big way?
Yes, I see a huge potential for the FDI, especially in the field of education and healthcare. The Education market is currently estimated to be more than US$ 100bn in India and growing. With improvement in technology, education’s outreach in increasing, this will led to exponential growth.
- Which segment, the Education industry or the Skill Development industry, is expected to see a surge over the next 2 years?
An Education System with emphasis on skill development will see a growing demand in the coming years. You see students are becoming more and more aware and are demanding more from their curriculum in terms of skill development.
- Is Education for all commercially viable? How job related skill development can be made a part of this, at all levels?
Yes, Education for all is commercially viable because with the growth of knowledge economy and digital revolution, it won’t be possible for any individual to succeed both in career and life without proper education. Therefore, every society must envision education for all with no child being left out.
- What is the key change you strongly feel that the Government must do in policy?
The Govt. Must take initiative for encouraging private investment in education considering the fact that presently the private sector is contributing immensely towards providing quality education. Also facilities provided at Govt. Institutions especially schools need to be improved.
- Digitization has been a key technology disrupter in various industries. How it is affecting the Education sector?
I don’t think that the technology is a barrier, but it is an indispensable tool for efficiency and progress. The challenge is to how sensibly we are able to use digitisation and make it productive for our growth and progress.
- What is the biggest challenge faced by the Education and Skill Development sectors in India? How do you propose the country should address this challenge?
The most critical challenge is, how we channelize our huge reservoir of human resource for optimal employment and productivity. India is a young nation with 70% of the population being within the age group of 15-35 years. Now the challenge is to develop the knowledge and skill of these youth by providing them with right education and vocational training for skill development.
- How do we inculcate environmental and social sustainability aspects in the education of students?
Global warming and environmental degradation has become a major threat and concern for every community and country in this world. We shall have not only to protect our mother nature but also conserve it for a sustainable future. Children being the torch bearers of the future, it is the responsibility of every educator to inculcate among them the true values of environmental awareness which includes Reduce, Re-use, Re-cycle of natural resource.
- What is your ultimate goal when it comes to your work? What do you want your institution / self to be remembered for?
I believe that the institution should be remembered for teaching the qualities of excellence in all things, universal values, service to community and global understanding.
- What advice would you give to the students and job seekers today?
My humble advice to the students is to first discover your own innate potential and strive towards realising it. For those looking for job must develop their creative, communicative and collaborative skills along with developing their core competence in the chosen subjects or discipline.
“Education with emphasis on skill development to grow in demand”
