Resetting Academic Standards with Respect to Student Performance: Challenges to Higher Educational Institutions

Abstract

The digital world has changed and widened the purpose and scope of education. This envisages a rethink and revamp of the four pillars of education viz. learning to know, learning to do, learning to live together, and learning to be. Independent learning contexts and lifelong learning opportunities have widened the scope and added more pillars to the foundations of education. This necessitates change in criteria and standards of academic performance. HEIs will extend their role not solely as knowledge centers but also serving as social incubators and laboratories. The chapter expects to highlight the underlying issues governing the changes. Review of educational policies and academic standards prescribed at the National and University levels reveals a heavy reliance on academic metrics based on grades attained on exams and tests. The chapter highlights the need to include academic programs that increase employability of students, and students need to be equipped to be employable and career ready on completing the course. The efforts taken by HEIs in realizing the SDGs and students’ initiatives in taking up SDG roles and leadership also need to be taken into account for ranking both HEIs and students.