New Delhi, December 19:
To enhance employability and align education with industry requirements, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced guidelines for incorporating skill-based courses and micro-credentials into the curriculum of Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). These guidelines aim to equip students with practical skills relevant to emerging job markets.
Fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, and creative writing are set to become integral to academic programmes, fostering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise to improve students’ employment prospects.
UGC Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar, highlighted that these initiatives are designed to empower students with skills aligned with industry demands, thereby enabling them to achieve academic and professional goals. “The objective is to prepare the youth for contributing to a globally competitive knowledge-driven economy,” he remarked.
The guidelines, approved during a meeting on November 13, are being made available on the UGC portal for public feedback. This initiative is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasises bridging the gap between traditional education and the skill sets sought by employers.
By incorporating these courses into the existing educational framework, HEIs will provide students with exposure to dynamic fields such as conflict resolution, mediation, digital advocacy, logistics and supply chain management, sustainable agriculture, digital payments, fashion marketing, e-commerce, and sustainable practices.
M. Jagadesh Kumar further stated that these skill-based programmes will enable students to explore self-employment opportunities or access new career paths in evolving industries.
The UGC has also encouraged multinational corporations (MNCs) interested in offering skill-based programmes within HEIs to seek approval from the regulatory body.
This initiative marks a significant step toward creating a more employment-focused education system that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.
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