NEW DELHI: The Times of India Right to Excellence Education Summit, which kicked off today at 10 AM at the GL Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, revolved around closing the gap between education and employment, emphasising the importance of youngsters entering the workforce to develop relevant skills. The topics covered included education digitisation, AI integration into active classroom learning, and strategies to address the skill gap.The summit also looked at how these developments will impact the future of education and employment in India.
Actor Vikrant Massey, renowned for his work in films and notably for his role in 12th Fail addressed a range of issues in the summit. He discussed the skill gap in the country, the role of education in personal growth, and shared insights from his own experiences and setbacks.
Upon being asked about the changes in education, AI, and the skill gap, Massey says, “I don’t see these issues as a problem, but as a double-edged sword. AI is still in its early stages, and we see many people are struggling to understand and adapt to it. However, it is a boon, if we see the widespread use of mobile phones over the past decade.”
Massey notes that there is significant debate among leaders and AI experts about the potential impact on employment. He points out that concerns about job loss have existed even before his birth and continue to persist.
Drawing attention to the skill gap, he mentioned his experiences of meeting people from various backgrounds, including public servants and government program beneficiaries. He shares, “In Varanasi, speaking to public servants I came to know of a government initiative where cataract operations had been performed on nearly 50,000 people for people aged between 35 to 50 years. So, various individuals and stakeholders are working to improve the situation.”
Massey also emphasised the importance of collective support and collaboration for progress. He cited the example of the Odisha government’s partnership with Singapore for skill development, underscoring that trades such as plumbing are often undervalued despite being crucial. “These challenges are ongoing, they are not inherently negative. AI will ultimately benefit society if we adapt to it in due course,” adds the actor.
When asked about the role of education in personal growth, Massey emphasised its critical importance. Through his interactions with aspiring civil servants, he realised that personal change begins from within. “While academic pressure is prevalent and often equated with success, educational success alone does not define overall success,” he observes.
He drew a comparison to Japan, where even students perform basic duties such as cleaning their schools, demonstrating a culture in which respect and empathy are integral parts of life outside of academics. Massey emphasised that qualities such as empathy and national pride cannot be learnt solely from books.
Acknowledging the traditional stigma surrounding failure in India, noting that societal attitudes are gradually changing, from the household to the broader community. “India is a young country with strong core values, and while cynicism can sometimes prevail, the majority of people are inherently good. He stressed that recognising and nurturing talent is essential,” says this B-town favourite.
Massey concludes by underscoring that success cannot be a standalone concept. “To be truly successful, one must have experienced some measure of failure,” he signs off.
Actor Vikrant Massey, renowned for his work in films and notably for his role in 12th Fail addressed a range of issues in the summit. He discussed the skill gap in the country, the role of education in personal growth, and shared insights from his own experiences and setbacks.
Upon being asked about the changes in education, AI, and the skill gap, Massey says, “I don’t see these issues as a problem, but as a double-edged sword. AI is still in its early stages, and we see many people are struggling to understand and adapt to it. However, it is a boon, if we see the widespread use of mobile phones over the past decade.”
Massey notes that there is significant debate among leaders and AI experts about the potential impact on employment. He points out that concerns about job loss have existed even before his birth and continue to persist.
Drawing attention to the skill gap, he mentioned his experiences of meeting people from various backgrounds, including public servants and government program beneficiaries. He shares, “In Varanasi, speaking to public servants I came to know of a government initiative where cataract operations had been performed on nearly 50,000 people for people aged between 35 to 50 years. So, various individuals and stakeholders are working to improve the situation.”
Massey also emphasised the importance of collective support and collaboration for progress. He cited the example of the Odisha government’s partnership with Singapore for skill development, underscoring that trades such as plumbing are often undervalued despite being crucial. “These challenges are ongoing, they are not inherently negative. AI will ultimately benefit society if we adapt to it in due course,” adds the actor.
When asked about the role of education in personal growth, Massey emphasised its critical importance. Through his interactions with aspiring civil servants, he realised that personal change begins from within. “While academic pressure is prevalent and often equated with success, educational success alone does not define overall success,” he observes.
He drew a comparison to Japan, where even students perform basic duties such as cleaning their schools, demonstrating a culture in which respect and empathy are integral parts of life outside of academics. Massey emphasised that qualities such as empathy and national pride cannot be learnt solely from books.
Acknowledging the traditional stigma surrounding failure in India, noting that societal attitudes are gradually changing, from the household to the broader community. “India is a young country with strong core values, and while cynicism can sometimes prevail, the majority of people are inherently good. He stressed that recognising and nurturing talent is essential,” says this B-town favourite.
Massey concludes by underscoring that success cannot be a standalone concept. “To be truly successful, one must have experienced some measure of failure,” he signs off.
