Delivering the speech in Lok Sabha, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Minister of State (HRD) revealed that Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati had been supported by Planning Commission to evaluate the UGC Career Oriented Courses that focuses on the employability of students in South India. The varsity submitted the report to NITI Aayog in the year 2014.
As per the report, the courses that are offered at various colleges are mostly market-oriented, need-based and these courses are able to promote skills in different areas concerned. Therefore, the report termed these courses as career oriented. On the other hand, the report recommended that there is a need to promote vocational training apart from regular education. In simple words, the UGC is looking forward to launching career-oriented courses to increase the coverage of students.
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Finally, University Grants Commission (UGC) has initiated a scheme and it is titled as ‘Introduction of Career Oriented Courses in Colleges and Universities’. The main aim of the initiative is to launch market-oriented and skill-enhancing add-on courses at UG level. These courses will provide necessary skills required for a job and it is beneficial for the students and their empowerment.
Career oriented courses involve practical training/ project work/ field work. A progressive approach will be followed by the courses through which the skills of the students will be upgraded.
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Universities and colleges have to prepare the syllabi of these courses by considering the specific industry requirements and academic needs. Apart from this, UGC also has plans to develop three other schemes that include Deen Dayal Upadhyaya KAUSHAL Kendras, B.Voc Degree Programmes and Community Colleges.