Students Skill Development Programme launched at Graduate College

Jamshedpur : Kolhan University on Thursday launched the classes for National University Students Skill Development (NUSSD) Programme � a project undertaken by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and supported by Union ministry of youth affairs and sports. The Graduate School College for Women will became the first college in the city to start the programme.

After the Kolhan University became one of the nine institutes selected by the Union ministry for youth affairs and sports for the National University Student Skills Development (NUSSD) programme, it tried that the selected college starts its classes. After almost a year’s effort, the Graduate School College for Women in Sakchi started the pilot batch of the foundation course today. Students from the National Service Scheme can only participate in the programme.

With 120 students to start with, the faculty members will impart training on soft skills, computer literacy, speaking English to empower students to be approachable for an interview.

The NUSSD is implemented in collaboration with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai. The Kolhan University had an agreement signed last year. The courses will soon start in LBSM College in Karandih and Jamshedpur Women’s College.

�We want to create opportunities for students by promoting skill enhancement. They will be in a better position to face the industry,” said Usha Shukla, principal.

The project is managed by Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai and based on credit marking. The entire course from teaching to awarding the NUSSD certificate is done by TISS.

Since October 2012, TISS on the sanction of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports and office of Advisor to the Prime Minister had been working on this project.

Under this scheme, students will get the opportunity to learn new vocational skills through this programme along with their current bachelor�s degree. The purpose is to make these graduates ready for specific skilled employment as well as provide self-employment opportunities.

�Students who do this course will be better placed as this is a job oriented course. They will also be equipped to start their own ventures in small groups,� said a professor of Jamshedpur Co-operative College.

Expressing similar opinions Soma Das, a student of Jamshedpur Women�s College, said, �These are the times when wrong planning can spoil your career.

We should know the details and the scope of the course we plan to join. I am of the opinion that traditional courses like BA and MA do not help in getting jobs while professional and technical courses provide a lot of avenues�.