Implementation of Career Oriented programmes by UGC

UGC through several schemes launched by HRD Minister Smriti Irani has encouraged the implementation of skill based and career oriented courses throughout the colleges and universities around the nation. This would give the adequate thud needed to create job opportunities for the students who are eyeing for their higher education in India.

While giving answer to a question in Lok Sabha,  Irani said that under a scheme named, ‘Introduction of Career Oriented Courses’ (COCs) , UGC would provide financial assistance to the eligible universities and colleges to give away COCs at certificate, diploma or advance diploma level. These courses would run in accordance with the conventional degree programmes like BA, BCom and BSc.

In order to give prominence to skill-based vocational programmes UGC has revised its guidelines in accordance with National Skills Qualification Framework. This would attach skill building and vocational training along with the general orthodox education in the colleges and universities around the country.

Under two schemes, ‘Community College’ and ‘B.Voc Degree Programme’ it would provide skill based vocational courses associating an industry partner for curriculum development and assessing the students in a regular while. The commission has also approved a scheme called, ‘Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Kaushal Kendra’ under which 100 Kaushal centres would come up in colleges and universities around the nation. These centres would come up under the XII plan period of the central government. These centres would be responsible for providing skill based programmes to students from colleges and universities. There would a 60 percent weightage as well to the skill component in the curriculum of vocational courses as cleared by Irani.

Important Points

• UGC has launched various skill based and career oriented courses throughout the colleges and universities throughout the nation
• Scheme is named Introduction of Career Oriented Courses and UGC will provide financial assistance to eligible universities
• These courses would run in accordance with the conventional degree programmes like BA, BCom and BSc