Niti Aayog Proposes EduCities to Meet Rising Demand for Skilled Labor

Niti Aayog's EduCities Initiative Aims for 10-12 Lakh Skilled Professionals by 2030

Niti Aayog, the Think Tank of the Government, planned to boost economic growth in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) by establishing education-focused Special Economic Zones (SEZs). They are proposing the creation of 'EduCities' large educational hubs spanning over 100 hectares that would bring together multiple colleges and universities. According to recent reports, for the development of these Educities the Navi Mumbai Airport Influence Notified Area (NAINA), also known as Third Mumbai, and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link (MTHL) influence area have been identified as prime locations. Mumbai is recognized as one of India's largest business centers and having strong global connections, MMR has the potential to evolve into the country's top destination for higher education.

These EduCities are envisioned to host distinguished faculty and researchers, along with student housing and recreational facilities. The plan also incorporates blue-green infrastructure, which combines natural and man-made elements to enhance urban environments. A significant number of investors showed interest in the MMR, particularly because it offers affordable land and valuable amenities for students which make it a prominent choice to become a leading higher education hub.

Niranjan Hiranandani, Provost of HSNC University, mentioned that improved access and connectivity would naturally lead to the establishment of multiple educational centers. As Mumbai is the financial capital and has a strong IT and data sector, along with a thriving industrial corridor between Mumbai and Pune, the region is assured of a significant boost in education. The report emphasized that for better job opportunities a robust educational system is important, as MMR is not ranked among the top 10 districts in India for the number of colleges and universities, in contrast, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have higher numbers of educational hubs, which result in greater number of job opportunities.

The World Economic Forum projected a demand for nearly 20 million additional digital jobs worldwide by 2030, to match this demand MMR should aim to skill at least 10 to 12 lakh people by that year. The suggested courses include electronics assembly, digital skills, animation, fashion technology, supply chain management, caregiving, nursing, aviation, and hospitality services. The report also stresses the importance of including women, with a target of at least 40% female participation.

Dr. Balasaheb Pawar, the trustee of the Shiva Education Trust, which oversees nearly 50 colleges, highlighted the need for the new mega-education cities to prioritize high-quality professional courses. Navi Mumbai already has a solid foundation of traditional undergraduate programs. The proposed EduCities would support the implementation of the National Education Policy, providing students with the chance to choose from a wide array of courses within a large campus setting.

Editor's Note:

Niti Aayog took a major initiative to position the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) as a leading hub for higher education, by the development of 'EduCities.' These integrated educational hubs aim to combine multiple colleges and universities into cohesive ecosystems that prioritize quality, accessibility, and diversity in education. As the World Economic Forum planned to create 20 million additional digital jobs in 2030 to meet this target the prime focus would be on skill development courses such as electronics assembly, digital skills, animation, fashion technology, supply chain management, caregiving, nursing, aviation, and hospitality services.

Skoobuzz anticipates that this groundbreaking step will prepare Indian students to meet the increasing demand for skilled professionals in a rapidly evolving job market and also enhance educational opportunities which will drive economic growth.