New varsity courses to focus on skills training

Mumbai: Mumbai University will introduce 15 bachelor’s and master’s courses this academic year, which will focus on skills training and career development. The courses will be in filmmaking, finance, management, and agri-business and technology.

“The Central government’s Skill India mission is designed to address the shortage of skilled professionals in the country’s workforce, and Mumbai University is trying to create professionally qualified students to contribute toward this mission,” said Anil Karnik, director of the University’s Garware Institute for Career Development.

As per the Ministry of Skill Development’s 2016-17 report, only 4.69% of the country’s workforce has formal vocational skills, as opposed to 60% to 90% in developed countries.

Bachelor’s courses in film animation, visual effects, and screenwriting will have 40 seats each, and admissions will be carried out through an entrance test and interview. Masters’ courses in financial technology and global financial management and a bachelor’s course in capital markets will begin in association with the Bombay Stock Exchange Institute. Examinations will be held at the Garware Institute on the university’s Kalina campus.

“We are also introducing a master’s course in emotional intelligence and human relations, which will apply psychological and management principles to create better managers,” said Mr. Karnik.

Other courses include master’s in tourism management, agri-business management and sustainable and environment management, and bachelor’s courses in interior design, paint technology, psychological health and behavioural science, and biomedical instrumentation.