February 3, 2022: Digital Education and Digital Learning is all set to get a significant boost with the Union Budget 2022, says  Ramana Prasad, Chairman, AI School of India.
Let’s take a look at key highlights considering the impact of the budget on education sector.
Digital Universities for EdTech

• Establishment of digital universities to provide universal access to the best quality education and personalized learning to the students at their doorstep.
• The digital universities would be made available in different local languages and ICT formats to ensure that no one is left out.

Top-notch e-content

• Digital teachers will deliver exceptional e-content through different modes like radio, television, mobile phones, internet.
• Use of the latest digital tools and technologies for better results in digital education.

Expansion of the One Class-One TV Channel Programme

• The COVD-19 pandemic has resulted in the loss of quality education for children, especially those from rural areas, scheduled tribes, scheduled castes, and other economically weaker sections.
• Expansion of the ‘One Class-One TV Channel’ programme from 12 to 200 TV channels.
• This initiative will help the states to provide education in regional languages for students of Class 1-12.

Setting up of virtual labs and skilling e-labs

• 750 virtual labs for Science and Mathematics, along with 75 skilling e-labs for stimulated learning environment will be set up in 2022-23.
• The virtual labs will provide students with the required training, promote creativity, and make them industry-ready.

Launch of DESH-Stack E-Portal

• The DESH-Stack E-Portal, a digital ecosystem for Skilling and Livelihood will be launched.
• The purpose of launching this portal would be to help the citizens acquire new and relevant skills through upskilling, reskilling, and online training.

Alignment of the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)
The finance minister also announced the alignment of the NSQF in the ever-changing industry requirements.
Establishment of world-class foreign universities in the GIFT city

• The establishment of world-class foreign universities and institutions will be allowed in the GIFT city in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• These foreign universities will be free from domestic regulation to offer courses in various disciplines such as Engineering, FinTech, Mathematics, Science and Technologies for skilled employees in the financial services sector.

Revision of syllabus of agricultural universities
To meet the needs of natural, zero-budget and organic farming, and the modern-day agricultural techniques, states would be encouraged to revise the syllabus of agrarian universities.
Latest technologies for more employment opportunities

• Artificial Intelligence, coding, genomics and pharmaceuticals, green energy and clean mobility systems, geospatial systems and drones have great potential to bring about a revolution in the country in various industry verticals.
• These technologies have also got the power to generate substantial employment opportunities for the country's youth.

The EdTech companies will benefit immensely from the Union Budget 2022 since a lot of focus has been made to promote digital education and digital learning in the country for the learners.
The word ‘digital’ was mentioned 35 times, ‘tech’ 26 times, by Finance minister, in her budget speech, “Promoting digital economy & fintech, technology-enabled development” was mentioned early on the speech among her three major goals. For India’s IT & Technology industry, this could be a big opportunity.
AI led innovation is going to pick up in a big way especially in the Drone segment as Budget 2022 has focused on Drone Shakti and its benefits across all sectors like Agriculture, Healthcare etc. Our school education must now ensure the students are taught Artificial Intelligence from primary grades so that the students develop interest and be prepared for the AI driven world.
AI School of India (AISI), an online self-directed and tutor led platform providing AI  coding to Indian students, teachers and in K12 schools,  is the brainchild of Ramana Prasad, an alumni of IIT Madras (1977) who  also holds two MS degrees in Engineering from the University of Cincinnati, USA and is the Chairman of Robotix USA and India