India stands at a crossroads where it can harness its demographic dividend by incorporating a broader range of creative youth into its educational framework. Anunaya Chaubey, Provost of Anant National University, emphasizes the importance of creativity in innovation, which requires an ability to envision new paradigms while integrating experiences and cultural learnings to develop impactful solutions. Problem-solving skills are deeply rooted in one’s cultural background, making it essential to provide equitable educational opportunities.
Currently, a limited number of institutions in India offer education in design through undergraduate and graduate programs. While the number of aspirants for design aptitude tests is significant, it remains small compared to the vast pool of candidates for engineering and medical fields. Unfortunately, many applicants fail to secure admission due to the limited seats and stringent entrance requirements. A critical issue lies in the fact that these tests, intended to evaluate creativity and analytical skills, are predominantly conducted in English.
The term ‘aptitude’ encompasses an individual’s inherent talent and capacity for acquiring specific skills and knowledge. It encompasses cognitive, analytical, and creative capabilities developed over time, often rooted in one’s mother tongue and local experiences.
Tapping into Indigenous Traditions
India’s rich diversity, featuring 22 official languages and numerous dialects, offers a fertile ground for creative expression. While English is a vital official language, only 1/5th of the Indian population is proficient in it, leading to significant barriers in accessing educational opportunities. This exclusion affects a substantial segment of the talented youth, particularly from non-English speaking communities, who could contribute as innovative problem solvers and change-makers.
Standardized aptitude tests assessing creativity predominantly in English present challenges in a multilingual nation. Such tests overlook the cultural context and linguistic diversity essential for evaluating creativity. An English-only approach fails to recognize the creative potential of individuals who primarily express themselves in their native languages, thus limiting the scope of talent assessment.
Advocating for Multilingual Assessments
There is a pressing need to adopt a multilingual aptitude test framework across educational systems in India. Implementing assessments in the applicant’s language can create a fairer, more inclusive system that acknowledges unique identities and creative approaches. Recognizing creativity beyond linguistic boundaries is crucial to revamping our education system, making it more inclusive and preparing it for the future.
Admission to prestigious educational institutions has historically posed challenges for diverse, creativity-rich, yet English-deficient applicants. By introducing multilingual aptitude tests, India can foster a more equitable education system that values creative talents irrespective of linguistic barriers.
Creating a Robust Talent Pool
The global design industry is booming, currently valued at nearly $165 billion and growing at over 20% annually. This growth stems from the urgent need to address challenges such as climate change, unemployment, and unsustainable development. Various design specializations, particularly those integrated with emerging technologies, are increasingly in demand.
To capitalize on this global opportunity, India must leverage its demographic dividend by embracing a wider pool of creative youth through multilingual aptitude tests. By assessing talent based on their innate genius rather than language proficiency, India can unlock the potential of its diverse population, nurturing future leaders and innovators ready to tackle the world’s pressing challenges.
