The Challenges and New Opportunities for Higher Education Industry in a Pandemic-Constrained Environment

The higher education system is at a transition stage. A stage where changes have taken place for good and more transformations in thoughts and processes are desired. Higher education system in any nation today seeks a relook. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the higher education sector all across the world. It has also posed a serious challenge to the existing system of higher education in India. The spread of COVID-19 pandemic has forced higher education sector of the country to shift its bases online and almost all universities and colleges have started teaching their students through online platforms. Despite of all odds, the country made significant progress in online education to the students of higher studies. It was felt that more technically sound professionals are required to improve the quality of online teaching in future. The institutions should also come forward to improve the quality of education through modern technology. They must also develop the facility for providing online education to all enrolled students in the country. The current situation should be seized as an opportunity to develop new techniques to impart education that would be user friendly and accessible to all. At present, private sector institutions account for 59 percent enrolments in higher education. The initial objective of most of these private institutions is to provide a service, so students could get a degree, and subsequently, a good job. Many education specialists call it the “service model" of education. Although these institutions attract a large number of students due to the high demand of industry relevant courses, quality is what they miss out on. This is a crucial challenge to overcome to enable institutions and students to be innovative and flexible in their approach towards higher education. Another challenge in the context of higher education is financial constraints. Expenditure on education and related infrastructure is the key parameter for the government to judge the quality of education. State and central governments can only attribute about 20-30 percent funds from their total budgets on education. Much higher and stable investments are needed to cater to the growing demand. Although, government initiatives have led to foreign direct investment in education, but the strict permissions and policies hinder the flow of investments to a large extent.

This book discusses global perspectives, emerging challenges and opportunities of higher education. The book addresses the key issues which are preventing such partnerships and examines how to enable more effective and creative connections between museums and higher education. We are living in a time when the world, the nation and the higher education industry face no shortage of challenges. On a global basis, although the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic is diminishing. Domestically, such issues as inflation, environmental concerns and racial justice continue to be top of mind with both the government and the public. Each of these international and national issues is affecting higher education, along with other items that are specific to the sector. This book is targeted toward educators, educational administrators, academicians, researchers, and professionals within the realm of higher education.