TimesPro, established in 2013, is a leading Higher EdTech platform dedicated to empowering the career growth of aspiring learners by equipping them with skills to rise in a competitive world. TimesPro’s H.EdTech programmes are created to meet the rapidly changing industry requirements and have been blended with technology to make them accessible & affordable.
TimesPro offers a variety of created and curated learning programmes across a range of categories, industries, and age groups. They include employment-oriented early career programmes across BFSI, e-Commerce, and technology sectors; executive education for working professionals in collaboration with premier educational institutions like IIMs and IITs; and organisational learning and development interventions at the corporate level.
TimesPro also collaborates with India’s leading MNCs across varied sectors to provide upskilling and reskilling solutions to boost employability and create a robust workforce. TimesPro is a Higher EdTech initiative by the Times of India Group. Startup Reporter recently conducted an interview with Mr. Anish Srikrishna, CEO, TimesPro.
- What is your view on the future of higher education in the era of AI and ChatGPT?
Technology has certain limitations that constrain how much and how far we can go. However, AI can overcome these limitations and extend beyond physical resources. By implementing regulated AI, it is possible to create an avatar to assist learners who are trying to learn from a video of an exceptional faculty member from a top institution. Additionally, educators can efficiently and accurately perform repetitive tasks such as creating presentations, teaching tools, assessments, and documents. Higher education will significantly benefit as it can provide 24/7 accessibility, especially for distant learning programmes offered by EdTech platforms and universities. AI-powered education can provide personalised learning solutions, and the automated grading of assessments can give learners immediate feedback.
- How important is upskilling now?
We are in an exciting and transformative era of AI and ChatGPT, and there is a significant need to prioritise skill-based learning. It is crucial for learners to stay ahead of the curve and acquire abilities that prepare them for the future. While there may be debates about AI influencing job cuts, there is also a positive side. Advancements in technology are creating new job opportunities for people to achieve success. However, it is imperative to keep up with these developments, and higher EdTech platforms have made it possible for learners to access quality education and acquire new skills from top institutions with just a click of a button. It eliminates the need to leave one’s job or relocate to another city.
- How do you view skills gaps in the Indian market? In the next 5 years, how should the Indian public and private sector seek to close them?
The demand for highly skilled professionals is evident in every industry, including Banking, IT, Supply Chain, Healthcare, and Hospitality. The vision of Higher EdTech platforms like TimesPro is to leverage technology to bridge this talent gap. The New Education Policy (NEP) emphasises the need for upskilling to avoid relying on unskilled labour jobs in the future. While we might witness some jobs becoming redundant, many new jobs, including high-end coding jobs, will be created.
One significant theme in the tech world is to create mechanisms to temper AI, including Open AI and Generative AI, to enable seamless conversations between humans and AI. However, there will be a demand for a diverse range of professionals, including lawyers, humanities experts, and individuals from all disciplines to draft regulations for this burgeoning field. These developments will create numerous new job profiles, including opportunities to upskill and fill previously deficient skill levels.
- Please share your views on the NEP. What is the role of the private sector, especially the EdTech sector, in revolutionising learning?
The NEP is significant as it recognises the potential of technology to improve the quality of higher education, increase its accessibility, and emphasises technology-enabled education. It encourages the integration of technology in teaching and learning processes, the development of digital infrastructure, and the use of online platforms for education delivery. It is a positive step towards leveraging technology to enhance the learning experience and broaden access to education.
- What is your long-term vision for TimesPro, and how do you plan to achieve it?
TimesPro is bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application by creating industry-relevant courses and partnering with academia and industry for research and innovation. We have collaborated with centres of excellence like IIMs and IITs to take their programmes to the learners who would not have the resources or time to pursue full-time courses. By prioritising practical and skill-based learning, we are elevating the standard of higher education in India and equip graduates for the workforce.
We have also identified the needs of learners and are working towards addressing the pain points of learners of employability and lack of skills. As our country undergoes significant changes, we must create a talented workforce to fuel our economic engines. The Higher EdTech sector is well-positioned to address these challenges and transform the learning environment into a user-friendly online platform, and TimesPro is poised to play a significant role in this transformation and power the growth of individuals and organisations.
