(a) whether the Ministry is aware that Equipping students for employment is one
among other core missions of higher education and inculcating good habits for
the promotion of good citizenship and social integration are other valid missions;
(b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) if so details thereof; and
(d) if not, reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
(DR. MAHENDRA NATH PANDEY)
(a) to (d): Yes Madam. The Government lays special focus on imparting
employment-oriented education, motivate students to be socially aware and
responsible citizens, to inculcate a spirit of dignity of labour among the youth and
commitment for social upliftment. The Government has notified National Skill
Qualification Framework (NSQF) to enable a person to acquire desired competency
levels, transit to the job market and at an opportune time, return for acquiring
additional skills to further upgrade their competencies and ensure holistic
development.
The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has taken several
initiatives such as National Employment Enhancement Mission (NEEM) and
Employment Enhancement Training Programme (EETP) for improving the
employability of the students coming out of the technical institutions. Recently,
AICTE has signed MOUs under EETP program with leading private companies for
creating job opportunities for the students. Apart from this, AICTE Council has
approved a host of measures like mandatory internships, curriculum revision in
consultation with Industry and industry-readiness training at the end of the course
to improve the employability of the students coming out of the technical
institutions.
University Grants Commission (UGC) has started schemes such as
Community Colleges, B.Voc. degree programme, Deen Dayal Upadhaya KAUSHAL
Kendras in Universities and Colleges so as to enhance employability of students and
make them industry-ready.
This Ministry, through UGC, is also implementing the scheme ‘Career
Oriented Courses’ to impart knowledge, skills and aptitude for gainful employment
in wage sector in general and self employment in particular to candidates taking
these courses so as to reduce the pressure on institutions of higher learning for
Master Degree. The courses offered are in the form of Certificate / Diploma /
Advance Diploma which students may opt parallel to their conventional B.A /
B.Com/ B.Sc. degrees.
Further, the UGC has requested the Vice-Chancellors of all the Universities in
the country to ensure review and revision of academic curricula of various
programmes offered by them and by their affiliated colleges at least once in every
three years. UGC has recommended that while undertaking such review and
revision of academic curricula, the Universities should consider the existing and
potential demand and supply of skill sets to make University/College students
employable.
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