Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) will come up with multiple initiatives to provide skill-building opportunities to students through quality and inclusive education, contributing to making India the Skill Capital of the World.
The main aim of this initiative is to fulfil the primary objective of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to develop vocational and academic development among other capacities. As the NEP emphasizes the integration of vocational education with higher education and targets the enhancement of 50 per cent enrolment in vocational education by 2025 and 50 per cent Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education by 2035. It envisages creating a bridge between Higher Education and Vocational Training to create pathways for enabling stable and secure employment.
Nageshwar Rao, VC, IGNOU said: “NSDC's expertise in terms of skilling framework (The National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) would be of immense help in designing the programmes with IGNOU’s programme content.”
The course aims to meet market requirements by embedding English for soft skill development and entrepreneurship modules integrating IGNOU programs with a placement-supported degree apprenticeship.
Ved Mani Tiwari, COO and officiating CEO NSDC in his address expressed that the collaboration would be a major milestone in the skilling ecosystem of the country. The initiative of embedding skills across courses would foster industry connections and enhance the employability of the workforce in the country.
The agreement was signed by Dr Alok Chaube, Registrar IGNOU and by Ved Mani Tiwari, Chief Operating Officer and officiating Chief Executive Officer NSDC in the presence of Professor Nageshwar Rao, Vice-Chancellor IGNOU and other dignitaries from IGNOU and NSDC.