The University Grants Commission (UGC) has developed guidelines for incorporating skill-based courses and micro-credentials in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs). These initiatives aim to provide students with industry-relevant skills to enhance their employability.

Academic programmes will now include emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, and feature writing, boosting students' job prospects.

The guidelines are designed to equip students with practical, industry-relevant skills while enabling them to achieve their academic aspirations in their chosen fields. Highlighting their significance, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar stated that the guidelines aim to meet the evolving demands of the job market and prepare the youth to contribute effectively to a globally competitive knowledge economy.

UGC approved new guidelines for skill-based courses at a meeting on November 13. These guidelines will soon be available on the UGC portal for public feedback.

Highlighting the initiative, Kumar stated that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises bridging the gap between traditional academic instruction and the practical skills employers demand. Skill-based courses and micro-credentials will be integrated into students' academic programmes to achieve this.

The inclusion of these courses in the curriculum will allow higher education institutions (HEIs) to expose students to emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, digital marketing, literary journalism, conflict resolution, mediation, digital advocacy, logistics and supply chain management, sustainable agriculture, digital payments and banking, fashion marketing, e-commerce, and sustainable practices.