Key facts
- Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister member Sanjeev Sanyal declared the worldwide university education system outdated.
- Sanyal advocated for an academic framework that merges education with skilling, apprenticeships, and work experience.
- He described the current university system as a 19th-century construct.
- Sanyal suggested universities should focus on research and pushing new knowledge frontiers.
Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM), stated that the global university education system is outdated. Speaking at the 'India Global Innovation Connect 2026', Sanyal called for an academic system that integrates education with skilling, apprenticeships, and work experience, emphasizing that knowledge is now freely available.
Sanyal described the current university structure as a 19th-century construct, particularly concerning tertiary education. He argued that expecting individuals to rely on knowledge accumulated decades ago is no longer feasible, especially with readily accessible information online. He suggested that universities should instead focus on advancing research and exploring new frontiers of knowledge.