Release of VIF Task Force Report: Towards More Effective Education: Emergence of STEM Education in India

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On 22 April 2019, the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) released the Task Force Report on “Organisation of STEM Education in India”. The task force report was released by Dr. V K Saraswat, former chairman Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Scientific Advisor to Raksha Mantri. The VIF task force on STEM Education was led by Prof K K Agarwal, former Vice Chancellor of the GGS IP University and included several eminent educationists in the country. Complementing the efforts of the task force members, Dr. V K Saraswat noted that the report is timely and would provide much-needed input to the work of Dr. K Kasturirangan committee entrusted with the task for reorganizing STEM education in India. He noted that contemporary STEM education in the country lacks focus on innovation and industry. The excess premium placed on research publications over patents and product development has not served the Indian industry well. Although the country has made great strides in acquiring advance production capabilities, he noted that the lack of ‘design’ capabilities is a major lacuna in India’s manufacturing eco-system. He opined that India needs a strong innovation eco-system, which cannot be achieved without radically reforming the STEM education. Dr. Arvind Gupta, Director VIF also lauded the efforts of task force members and noted that recommendations put forth in the report would have far-reaching consequences if implemented earnestly. He emphasized the need for harnessing country’s strong civilizational strengths in the educational streams of STEM. The programme was attended by a cross-section of civil society members, educationists, and members of the VIF fraternity.