Question : Professional Programmes for Students

(a) whether the Government would introduce three new professional
programmes imparting over 1000 hours of industry linked training for
students;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the time by which these professional programmes will be started;
(d) whether the Government also proposes to review career oriented addoncourses
in traditional universities and colleges and if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the technical support of Philanthropic Foundations and the Indian
Centres for Research and Development of Community Education (ICRDCE)
is proposed to be taken to create a robust framework for skill-based
education within the higher education sector in the country;
(f) if so, the details thereof; and
(g) whether the assessment of vocational skills and training provided by
Community Colleges is being done in accordance with assessment
protocols developed by sector skill councils and if so, the details thereof
and if not, the reasons therefor?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(DR. SATYA PAL SINGH)

(a) to (c): With the objective of integrating skills into mainstream education and
enhancing the employability of graduates, a programme for providing
apprenticeship and skills linkage to Higher Education Youth is under
consideration. Under this scheme, skill embedded professional programmes, B.A.
(Professional), B. Sc. (Professional), B. Com (Professional) and BBA in certain
selected sectors would be introduced for imparting industry-linked training, soft
skills and basic curriculum for students.
(d) : To recast the vocationalisation programme at undergraduate level University
Grants Commission (UGC) under a modified scheme of ‘Career Oriented
Programme’ has introduced a flexible system of certificate/diploma/advanced
diploma programme, which run parallel to the conventional B.A., B.Com. and B.Sc.
degrees. The Universities/colleges may formulate their own, ‘Need-Based’, Careeroriented
courses to introduce career and market-oriented, skill enhancing add-on
courses that have utility for job, self-employment and empowerment of the
students. At the end of three years, the students will be equipped with a
Certificate/Diploma/ Advanced diploma in an add-on orientation course along
with a conventional degree in Science/Arts/Commerce.
(e) & (f): There is no such proposal to take the technical support of Philanthropic
Foundations and the Indian Centres for Research and Development of Community
Education (ICRDCE).
(g): The assessment of vocational skills and training provided to students under
Community College Scheme run by Polytechnics is being done by the respective
Board/University. There is no role of Sector Skill Council.
*****