Shimla: Himachal Education Minister Rohit Thakur has called for a major shift towards future-ready, skill-based and technology-driven higher education in the state, with greater focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI), new-age and job-oriented courses, emerging technologies, research, sports and student well-being.
Chairing the 9th meeting of the Himachal Pradesh State Higher Education Council (HPSHEC) here, Thakur directed educational institutions to continuously upgrade courses and prepare students not only for today’s employment opportunities but also for the jobs, technologies and challenges of the future.
He also directed the Higher Education department and institutions to identify and introduce more new-age, vocational and job-oriented courses and regularly update existing subjects according to changing technology and industry requirements.
The minister said that AI was no longer a subject of the future, and it was changing the way one works and learns.
“Students must be prepared for this change and the challenges it has brought to the education system. AI should not be limited to a few specialised courses and should be integrated with existing subjects and professional programmes as much as possible,” Thakur said.
“Agriculture and horticulture sectors can include AI-based farming and data analysis, tourism can incorporate digital and AI-based services, while areas such as forestry, disaster management, climate studies, healthcare, yoga and wellness, education, law, financial literacy, social work, psychology, nursing, physiotherapy, sports, hospitality, creative arts, design, music, entrepreneurship and management can be strengthened,” he added.
The minister said that courses related to cybersecurity, data analytics, robotics, renewable energy, drone technology, GIS, digital marketing, entrepreneurship and other emerging fields should also be explored according to the requirements of the state and the employment market.
He also said that greater focus should be given to sports and sports-related education, with institutions encouraged to promote sporting talent, provide better training and facilities, and explore courses in sports science, fitness, nutrition, sports management and other emerging areas.
Thakur said that students should not have to wait for the job market to change before our education system changes.
“We must anticipate future challenges and prepare our young people in advance, ” he added. PTI
