Lok Sabha Question No. 926 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Innovative Courses in the Colleges through Industrial and Sectoral Linkages
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 926

ANSWERED ON 02.12.2024

## Innovative Courses in the Colleges through Industrial and Sectoral Linkages

## 926. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that there is a disconnect between University education and the jobs market resulting in the non-availability of suitable candidates for certain jobs in the market; (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to start innovative courses in the colleges through industrial and sectoral linkages?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)

(a)  to  (c):  The  National  Education  Policy  (NEP)  2020  aims  to  transform  and  improve  the quality of education in the country and to provide a standard of education that is inclusive, equitable, and of high quality, empowering learners for the future and contributing to national development.  NEP  2020  also  promotes  research  and  innovations  by  Higher  Educations Institutes (HEIs) by setting up start-up incubation centres; technology development centres; centres in frontier areas of research; greater industry-academic linkages; and interdisciplinary research including humanities and social sciences research.

To enhance employability of the studnets and achieve the objectives of NEP 2020, University Grants  Commission  (UGC)  has  notified  the  National  Credit  Framework  (NCrF),  enabling integration  of    Skill  Education  into  academia.   It  also  enables  credit  accumulation  through diversified  domains  such  as  Skill  Enhancement  Courses,  Value  Addition  Courses,  Ability Enhancement Courses alongwith Internships and Projects. The NCrF also has a provision for the  accumulation  of  a  maximum  of  50%  of  the  total  credit  required  through  skill-based courses.   These  provisions  have  enabled    Higher  Educational  Institutions  to  provide  multidisciplinary knowledge to the students, making them industry ready.

Further,  UGC  has  formulated  guidelines  for  the  introduction  of  Apprenticeship  Embedded Degree  Programmes  to  be  offered  by  Higher  Education  Institutions  to  provide  practical exposure during the course of study expected with the aim to enhanced competencies of the graduates and the employment thereof.

To  achieve  the  objectives  of  NEP  2020  and  ensure  availibility  of    industry  relavant knowledge  to  stduents  All  India  Council  for  Technical  Education  (AICTE)  has  taken  a several  steps including:

- Model  Curriculum in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Space Technology,  Electronic  Engineering  (VLSI  Design  and  Technology),  Robotics  and Artificial  Intelligence  etc.  Due  representation  of  Industry  stakeholders is  ensured in  the curriculum revision committees.
- Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with leading industries and organisations have been signed to facilitate internship, skilling and upskilling of students and faculty members.
- Issued model  internship  guidelines for technical courses. Internship  is  mandatory component of Model Curriculum issued by AICTE for different courses. These guidelines provide internship in full-time or part-time. Internship
- Industry Academia Mobility framework launched by AICTE to facilitate connect between theoretical  knowledge and practical application, facilitating collaboration between academia  and  industry.  Additionally,  it  provides  for  frameworks  for  industry-academia partnership, encouraging mutually beneficial engagements that enrich both parties.

The Ministry of Education in collaboration with IIT Madras and eminent Industry Partners have launched SWAYAM Plus platform on 27th February 2024, expanding its offerings to identify and include courses aligned with industry needs and to enhance learners' employability. The platform provides high-quality learning and certification programs from the leading industry and academia to the students/ learners which can help them in reskilling and upskilling and making them employment ready. Ministry of Education and IIT Madras has signed more than 55 MoUs with the leading industries partners. As on 22nd November, 2024, more than 320 Courses are available on the platform and more than 1.27 lakhs learners have enrolled  for their Skill augumentation.

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