Preparing for a Services Economy: An Evaluation of Higher Education in India

Abstract

This report is part of a larger study to examine the role of higher education in India's success in providing globally traded services. In this report, we assess the quality of software engineering education. We find that the institutional structure has the capacity to produce a quality of engineer suited to the current needs of the marketplace. This is a remarkable achievement considering the rapid change in both job requirements and the role of private provision in higher education. While it is too early to assess whether the currently emergent needs, particularly in research, project management and entrepreneurship, will be met by the current structure, we argue that the state's role as regulator will be critical. While the state has so far demonstrated its capabilities of being an effective regulator, we argue that new regulatory capabilities will be needed of the state to address the evolving demands.

HRD domain in the service science discipline: developing interdisciplinary professionals

“…This distinctive feature of the service sector – intellectual capital as a driver of value – is recognized worldwide. For example, in a discussion about India's position as a significant global competitor in the services sector, Professors Dossani and Patibandla (2008) stressed that while the drivers of India's economic growth in the service sector are varied, its overall success ultimately lies in some dimension of human capital. Unlike manufacturing, Dossani and Patibandla (2008, p. 8) explained, “where it is possible to produce high technology products by applying relatively unskilled labor to sophisticated machinery”, high‐tech services cannot be provided in the same manner.…”

“…For example, in a discussion about India's position as a significant global competitor in the services sector, Professors Dossani and Patibandla (2008) stressed that while the drivers of India's economic growth in the service sector are varied, its overall success ultimately lies in some dimension of human capital. Unlike manufacturing, Dossani and Patibandla (2008, p. 8) explained, “where it is possible to produce high technology products by applying relatively unskilled labor to sophisticated machinery”, high‐tech services cannot be provided in the same manner. To illustrate the importance of intellectual capital in the service sector, Dossani and Patibandla (2008) pointed out that the providers of high‐tech services, such as information technology (IT) help desk professionals, need to be as skilled as the service they provide.…”

“…Unlike manufacturing, Dossani and Patibandla (2008, p. 8) explained, “where it is possible to produce high technology products by applying relatively unskilled labor to sophisticated machinery”, high‐tech services cannot be provided in the same manner. To illustrate the importance of intellectual capital in the service sector, Dossani and Patibandla (2008) pointed out that the providers of high‐tech services, such as information technology (IT) help desk professionals, need to be as skilled as the service they provide.…”