The Need for Public Private Partnership in Digitization of Higher Education

Purpose: Education is an essential component of Human Life Index and higher education is considered to be the imminent and proximate step to employment. A country’s future depends on a massive expansion of higher education. The socio-political structure of India does not encourage commercialization of higher education sector as it is also opposed to the objectives Public Policy Education. So digitization of resources is necessary to reach a large number of beneficiaries. Partnership with private organizations by public institutes can improve the access, quality and efficiency of educational services provided by HEIs. This paper proposes to explore the need of public private partnership in digitization in the wake of expansion of Massive Open Online Courses and learning in HEIs, which are expected to design and offer courses for the benefit of public. Methodology: This paper looks at how updated, transparent and engaging public education courses offered by HEIs with the help of improved digital infrastructure and digital initiatives of the MHRD, GOI can facilitate attainment of the objectives of Public Policy Education, contributing to the national progress. Findings: MOOCs is a great platform for higher education not just in India but all over the world. The courses are advantageous for faculty development, student mentoring and acquiring job oriented skills. Originality: This paper was presented at the National Seminar on ‘Public Policy Education’ conducted by the EFL University, Aug 2019 at Hyderabad, Telangana to encourage discussion on the Draft ‘National Education Policy 2019’