College Vidya, a one-stop resource for making informed online education choices, recently revealed the findings of a comprehensive research study focused on the awareness levels and perceptions of online education among students and working professionals in India. The study, aimed at bridging the gap in understanding the factors influencing the adoption of online education, has shed light on the challenges and opportunities in this transformative landscape.
Following the global shift to online education, India’s University Grants Commission (UGC) granted online courses equal status. However, there is still a significant awareness gap among the general public concerning online education as a viable option for higher learning. To address this gap, the platform conducted this research to learn about students’ and working professionals’ knowledge levels, concerns, and preferences for online education. The study included a variety of primary data collection techniques, including face-to-face and paper surveys, structured telephone interviews, and feedback from students, working professionals, and academic counsellors.
The study’s key findings revealed that an overwhelming majority, more than 95% of students and working professionals, are well-acquainted with online education, with 70% of students expressing their eagerness to pursue it. However, only 46.6% of working professionals have pursued online courses in the last year, indicating a disparity in the enrolment of online classes compared to the awareness about it. Among students, 81% identified timesaving as a primary benefit, while 69% emphasized cost-effectiveness. Additionally, 56% appreciated the flexibility in attendance that online learning affords. Similarly, among working professionals, 54% recognized timesaving, while 52% valued the opportunity for upskilling. Furthermore, 51% highlighted the flexibility that online education provides, demonstrating its multifaceted appeal across different demographics.
Rohit Gupta, Co-founder & COO, College Vidya, stated:
Education is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and online education is at the forefront of this transformation. The insights revealed by this study are invaluable in shaping the future of education in India. At College Vidya, we are steadfast in our commitment to leverage these findings to drive meaningful change and empower students and professionals to embrace the opportunities presented by online education. Our unwavering vision is to make online education accessible for anybody and everybody willing to grow in their career.
The study also shed light on significant barriers to the implementation of online education. Notably, 70% of students and 45% of working professionals expressed dissatisfaction due to the absence of face-to-face interaction in online education. Furthermore, 63% of students and 38% of professionals felt it lacked practical experience. Alarmingly, 62% of students and 40% of professionals harbour concerns that degrees offered online courses may be fraudulent. In comparison, 55% of students and 31% of professionals question their equivalence to traditional degrees.
College Vidya, started in 2019 and based in Noida, has achieved remarkable achievements due to its exceptional team of visionary founders: Mayank Gupta (Co-Founder and CEO), Rohit Gupta (Co-Founder and COO), and Sarthak Garg (Co-Founder and CMO). Mayank Gupta, genuinely interested in students’ professional growth, realized the need to challenge the industry’s existing sales-driven approach. With this idea in mind, the company began operations, creating a transparent system that provides students with honest and realistic information about various institutions and courses, steering them down various prospective career paths. It is dedicated to transforming the existing education system and democratizing access to high-quality learning experiences, guided by an innovative mindset.
