Lok Sabha Question No. 2477 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-07-31
Subject: Objective of Higher Education
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: SRIRAM MALYADRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2477 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31 st  July, 2017

## Objective of Higher Education

2477. SHRI MALYADRI SRIRAM: Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state: (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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