Where are we all moving?

In one of the meetings with Dhimant Sir, Director, MIT-Institute of Design, he mentioned that there were 17 graduates in design the year he passed out (Early 80's). Today, after 30 years, the foundation batch is of 180 students. I can't help but wonder why it isn't the same today. Yes, of course, we have CAD and RPT and CNC machines; but is that it? Dhimant sir also mentioned that in his product design learning, he was exposed to subjects like Film Appreciation, conducted by none other than P.K. Nair -  founder, NFAI (National Film Archive of India); whereas today's product design discipline has nothing to do with study of films, and students are hellbent on not being like communication designers.