In a bid to arm students with job ready skills and also reduce the industry-academic gap, the State Higher Education department is introducing 20 courses, writes Kiranmai Tutika

Making students industry-ready

1. 20 market-oriented courses to arm students with skills
2. Syllabi have been finalized for implementation in the upcoming academic year
3. To replace traditional computer subjects with specialized areas like Multimedia, Cloud Computing, or Artificial Intelligence

Degree students have a lot to cheer about with the State Higher Education Department deciding to introduce 20 market oriented courses starting from 2025-26 academic year. In addition, the department has proposed the expansion of forensic science courses to other universities, which is currently available only at Adikavi Nannaya University.

“The main aim behind the introduction of these market-oriented courses is to make students industry-ready upon graduation and to boost enrollment in degree colleges. We anticipate that students will be more inclined to pursue courses that align with their interests and career aspirations,” said T V Krishna Murthy, Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE).

The Commissioner of Collegiate Education formed subject committees comprising 40 lecturers from 12 conventional subjects. These committees conducted extensive field research by engaging with local industries, organizations, professionals, and commercial establishments to assess market needs, job opportunities, and skill requirements.

Following this comprehensive study, 30 potential market-oriented courses were initially identified for BA, BSc, and BCom programs. Of these, 20 courses received approval, and their syllabi have been finalized for implementation in the upcoming academic year.

In a move to further enhance the learning experience, officials are also preparing to launch video lectures for undergraduate courses. These digital resources, funded under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA), will cater to both new market-oriented courses and conventional subjects, benefiting students and lecturers alike. 

With the introduction of these courses, students in the BSc Computer Science group will have the option to replace traditional computer subjects with specialized areas like Multimedia, Cloud Computing, or Artificial Intelligence. Similarly, students in other degree programs will have the flexibility to choose subjects that align with their career goals.

“With the introduction of these new courses the students will be excited to choose subjects based on their preferences. We expect a significant increase in admissions this year compared to previous years,” said Rama Devi, Principal of Satavahana Degree College, Vijayawada.

With these new offerings, the State Higher Education Department is aiming to modernize degree programs, equipping students with the necessary skills to meet evolving industry demands and improving employment prospects in the region.