K. Chidananda Gowda, former vice-chancellor of Kuvempu University, underlined the need for making students more employable at the end of their academic career by introducing useful vocational courses in the syllabus.
“It is also vital to face global challenges,” he said, while inaugurating a multidisciplinary national seminar on ‘Innovative Trends in Higher Education’ at Government College for Women here. The Arts Forum of the college organised the event in association with the Department of Collegiate Education.
Holding the education system responsible for growing unemployment among educated youngsters, Mr. Gowda said: “Knowledge has been delinked from skills and work, rendering students unemployable.”
Referring to 2011 census statistics, Mr. Gowda said 17% of Indian graduates are unemployed. This is around 44.5 million, he said. India is also facing shortage of 45 million skilled workers, he said and added that this was a paradox.
Mr. Gowda underlined the need for introducing four-year undergraduate courses in place of the existing three years to provide students more opportunities abroad where the four-year system is in vogue. This would also help attract more students from other countries, he added. He suggested maintaining a 1:60 teacher-student ratio for quality education.
Principal Jayarama Reddy presided over the function. Art Forum president Rajendra, and organising secretary G.R. Ashwath were present.
