Dharmendra Pradhan chairs 13th NITSER Council meeting

Key Highlights

• Emphasising curriculum reforms, the Minister said academic programmes must be aligned with emerging and critical technologies such as Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, data analytics, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, semiconductors, green hydrogen and advanced manufacturing.
• He underlined that these reforms are essential to support India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
• Pradhan called for specialised postgraduate and M Tech programmes tailored to industry-specific needs and stressed the importance of developing a clear roadmap to align higher technical education with national priorities and future workforce requirements.
• Highlighting the need for comprehensive PhD reforms, the Minister proposed industry-led and industry-funded doctoral programmes, product-based PhDs, and allocation of PhD supervision based on faculty performance.
• He also suggested the creation of industry-led curriculum committees to design courses aligned with emerging job roles and 21st-century skill requirements.