Vocational courses introduced by two colleges and a deemed university this academic year, it appear, have caught on with students. Though the formal admission process is not yet complete in two institutions for want of recognition from the Bharathiar University, the Avinashilingam University has gone ahead and almost completed its admission process.
The University offers B.Voc. courses in food process engineering and medical equipment technology.
Awareness levelVice-Chancellor Sheela Ramachandran says that the University did not have to do much convincing about the value of the two vocational courses as the parents and students were quite aware of what they were, though the University introduced the courses for the first time this academic year.
The faculty only explained how the courses were structured, how they had more practical houses, how the University had tied up with industries to provide more practical knowledge to the students, says a faculty at the Department of medical equipment technology.
OpportunitiesAt the PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, which has introduced B.Voc. in beautician therapy, aesthetics and garment designing, the faculty had to answer questions on higher education opportunities as they were now courses with a different nomenclature.
The story at the PSG College of Arts and Science, which has introduced B.Voc. in food processing technology and hospitality management, the story is no different.
ChallengeThe other challenge the institutions had was orienting the faculty to the new courses as the subjects were new and there was very little precedent.
But the Avinashilingam University did not have a problem as its engineering college offered courses to the B.Voc. courses – Biomedical Instrumentation Engineering and Food Processing and Preservation Technology.
In PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, the management had to tie-up with experts in the beauty salons, spa, yoga and host of other fields.
It also had to tie-up with dermatologists and others to offer courses to the students, as this was the first time the College offered such a course, says G. Kalavathi, Dean, Vocational Programme.
Tie-upThe College had to do the tie-up not just for conducting the courses but also for designing the curriculum, as mandated by the UGC, which had sponsored the courses in all the three institutions.
The College roped in experts who lent a hand in designing the curriculum. It had also sought their help for training the students at their establishments, as the B.Voc,. courses had more practical component.
One more reason that drew the students to the courses was multiple entry, exit options in the B.Voc. courses, says J. Judith, faculty, medical equipment technology, Avinashilingam University. After the successful completion of first year the students get a diploma, at the end of second year they get an advanced diploma and at the end of the third year they earn the degree.
This gives the students the choice to quit the programmes at the end of first or second year and rejoin later to complete the degree programmes.
Another reason that has attracted the students is the possibility of turning entrepreneurs, says Ms. Ramachandran, who adds that the institutions also offer papers that will encourage students to start their own enterprises.