In a move aimed at boosting the ‘Skill India Mission’, the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) has signed memorandums of understanding with major universities across the North-east for introducing skill-based training in undergraduate as well as postgraduate programmes of colleges in a phased manner.
The courses will be introduced in the second year of undergraduate programmes. Skill-based courses will cover four semesters in the second and third years of undergraduate programmes.
The students will be given a choice to select any one skill-based course from the identified sectors, in addition to the regular academic subjects. However, it shall not be mandatory for a student to join such skill development courses. The choice is left to the student.
The institutes include the Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University in Assam, Gauhati University, Dibrugarh University, Tezpur University, Sikkim Manipal University, Tripura University and Indira Gandhi Technological and Medical Sciences University, official sources said.
Experts feel that there is growing need to make aware of students and parents about the importance of skill based training and how it will help them in future in their career and offer livelihood.