The final panel discussion on government policy frameworks to encourage, enrich and enhance the sector was driven by Shri Oscar Fernandes, MP, Rajya Sabha, Dr. Narendra Jadhav, Member of Planning Commission, GoI, Dr. G. Viswanathan, Chancellor, VIT University, Mr. Amitabh Jhingan, Partner, Ernst & Young India and Mr. Anand Sudarshan, CEO & MD, Manipal Education.
Stakeholders of the Higher Education sector in unison called for a corruption free administration and ecosystem facilitating investment and growth of the sector. Sector is facing challenges to increase Gross Enrollment Ratio to 30% by 2020 from the present 13.5%. Higher Education sector would need 1 million faculties to teach and would need 1500 universities more to the 504 universities present now. According to the estimates of Ernst & Young, the sector would require 9 lakh crore in investments.
Well-known educator, scientist and institution builder, Prof. C.N.R. Rao was honoured with the EDGE Education Personality of the Year Award. The award was conferred in recognition of his extraordinary and exemplary contribution to higher education sector. Mr. Madan Padaki, Co-Founder & CEO, MeritTrac Services Pvt. Ltd. won Young EDGE Award 2011 for having demonstrated leadership in the education sector with significant contribution to the field of Higher Education.
About EDGE Forum
Conceptualized in the year 2007, by a group of leading educational institutions from public and private sector under the visionary leadership of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, former Chairman, ISRO & Director, NIAS and presently Member, Planning Commission, GoI, EDGE Forum is committed to excellence in education. The forum addresses several dimensions of education like governance, human resource management, cutting-edge technologies, holistic approach to education infrastructure and above all adoption of global best practices. It serves as an analytical and authoritative source for policy recommendations on higher education. EDGE Forum organizes international Conferences and Workshops, recognizes outstanding contribution of personalities, undertakes research projects, fosters international partnerships and nurtures open debate and dialogue.
The who’s who of the Higher Education sector in India is part of EDGE Forum assuming various roles. Partners and Associates of EDGE Forum are, National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Manipal Education, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Federation of Universities (FedUni), Symbiosis International University (SIU), BITS Pilani, Ernst & Young, Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA), The College Board, Institute of International Education, USA, United States - India Educational Foundation, Commonwealth Business School and MM ACTIV Sci-Tech Communications Co. For more information - www.edgeforum.in
