Nearly 30,000 girls from 50 government pre-university colleges will finally get professional guidance on choosing careers and courses they wish to enrol in after graduation.
The Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE) has requested the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to conduct training programmes for 50 women’s colleges on a pilot basis from the coming academic year. Under this initiative, students will undergo psychometric assessments that will help map their aptitudes, interests and personality. Guest lectures and industry visits will also be part of the programme. “Students will be given information on different career paths they can take,” said C. Shikha, Director of the Department of Pre-University Education (DPUE). The programme won’t be limited to students alone. In a bid to change mindsets, parents, too, will be counselled on the careers their daughters wish to pursue. “In rural areas particularly, parents may not be aware of the opportunities available to their daughters, or they may not be interested in seeing their daughters pursue higher education. In such cases, the parents will be counselled,” Ms. Shikha said. Students will also be given information on scholarships, entrance examinations, admission procedures and internships, through group sessions, programs and one-on-one counselling.
Project Disha
This is part of the Project Disha, in partnership with the IKEA Foundation and the India Development Foundation, which aims to promote economic empowerment of girls and women through skill acquisition, and employment and enterprise opportunities.
Officials in the department said Career Guidance and Counselling Cells (CGCC) will be set up in 50 government PU colleges in Karnataka. Fifteen lectures or principals will be identified and trained to impart information, and will double up as career coaches.
Ms. Shikha also said they will identify students who are likely to drop out or fail. These students will be guided in vocational courses, entrepreneurship and soft skills. Through Project Disha, they will create an online platform, use social media, and start a helpline so that young women can be provided with sustained support.
