Students still prefer graduation to vocational courses

New Delhi, Jun 17 (UNI) A joint survey by PHD Chamber of Commerce and German research organisation, KAF, brought out the poor employability of students across almost all disciplines, with a much greater preference still by the youth to undergo training in undergraduation rather than go in for vocational courses.

Besides, the survey highlights poor quality of students who pass out, no matter whichever discipline they might have passed out. This includes engineering, information technology and financial services.

There has been a general perception that more and more students are taking recourse to vocational courses which help them get jobs almost as soon as they pass out.

However, the Chamber survey established that what was true of yester years continues to be valid even now, notwithstanding the fact that it takes more years to complete education in a generalist field.

The Chamber made out a case for strengthening skill-related infrastructure; enhancing the scope of skill development; curriculum review; and re-branding of vocational training.

It also called for evolving new options for higher education to enhance the employability of the students passing out from technical institutions and universities.

The enrollment in vocational training is extremely low as compared to countries like Israel, South Korea, Thailand and Japan.

The Survey suggests more vocational institutes be set up and there should be an increased interface between the industry, the government and the institutions for evolving the syllabi, course materials and practical training of the students.

Fundamental research in the universities and higher schools of learning needs to be promoted, it says adding that the lack of remuneration for research, particularly the applied research, has adversely affected the number of students opting for such profession.

UNI SR AK AS1225