As an educator and proponent of skill-based learning, I have observed a growing disparity between higher education and industry requirements. Each year, numerous graduates enter the job market, yet many face unemployment—not due to a lack of academic credentials, but a deficiency in practical skills.
India’s traditional higher education system, while academically robust, often does not provide students with the hands-on competencies essential in today’s rapidly changing job landscape. Employers now prioritize practical expertise, problem-solving skills, and adaptability over mere theoretical knowledge. This disconnect necessitates an immediate transformation—a strategic plan that weaves skill development into the core of higher education.
At Symbiosis Skills Universities (SSPU & SUAS) and Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL), we have been at the forefront of this transformation by merging academic instruction with practical skills training. However, for India to fully adopt this change, a more organized and scalable approach is imperative.
The Imperative of Integrating Skills into Higher Education
- Bridging the Industry-Academia Gap
A significant challenge is the mismatch between university curricula and industry expectations. Conversations with business leaders and recruiters consistently highlight the demand for graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also prepared for the workplace.
To tackle this, we should:
- Collaborate with industry professionals to design curricula that reflect current and anticipated job market trends.
- Incorporate compulsory internships, apprenticeships, and real-world projects into all degree programs.
- Promote experiential learning through industry visits, case studies, and mentorship initiatives.
We have implemented an “Earn While You Learn” program, enabling students to engage in live industry projects and gain practical experience prior to graduation. This approach has markedly enhanced their employability and self-assurance.
- Skill-Oriented Degree Programs: The Future of Higher Education
We must rethink degree structures to encompass:
- Blended learning models that combine classroom teaching with skill laboratories, digital education, and practical training.
- Modular and adaptable courses, allowing students to obtain industry-recognized skill certifications alongside their degrees.
- Interdisciplinary education, ensuring students acquire a diverse skill set beyond traditional academic boundaries.
For instance, at our universities, our B.Tech programs merge technical education with vocational training, ensuring our graduates are not only theoretically proficient engineers but also skilled professionals equipped for industry challenges.
- Mainstreaming Vocational Education
Vocational education in India has long been perceived as a secondary option compared to conventional degrees. This perception must change.
Nations like Germany and Switzerland have effectively integrated vocational training into higher education, ensuring that skilled professionals are valued equally with degree holders. India should emulate this by:
- Embedding vocational training into undergraduate and postgraduate curricula.
- Encouraging universities to establish “skill hubs” where students can earn industry-specific certifications.
- Fostering partnerships between the government and private sector to finance skill-based higher education programs.
At Symbiosis Skills Universities (SUAS & SSPU), we have adopted a dual education model, where students divide their time between academic studies and industry apprenticeships. This ensures they graduate with both a degree and practical expertise, making them highly attractive to employers.
At SCDL, we have embraced technology-driven education, offering flexible online skill-development programs that cater to both working professionals and students.
A Policy Framework for the Future
To fully integrate skill development into higher education, India requires systematic policy measures:
- Recognition of Skill-Based Degrees: Regulatory bodies like the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) must formally acknowledge and promote degree programs that incorporate vocational training. Universities should have the autonomy to offer skill-focused majors and certifications. Vertical mobility for Skill based programs should be approved by UGC, AICTE and other professional Councils.
- National Skill Credits Framework: A credit-based system should enable students to earn skill credits alongside academic credits. These skill credits should be transferable across institutions and recognized by industries, facilitating seamless transitions between academic and professional pathways.
- Enhanced Industry Collaborations: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes industry-academia collaboration, but we need structured, outcome-oriented partnerships. Industries should be encouraged to:
- Sponsor skill development programs within universities and institutions alike
- Provide mentorship, internships, and apprenticeships as integral components of degree curricula.
- Offer faculty development programs to keep educators abreast of industry advancements.
- Investment in Digital and Physical Skill Laboratories: Universities must be equipped with cutting-edge skill labs, simulation centres, and digital learning tools. This necessitates:
- Increased government funding for skill-based educational initiatives.
- Incentives for private institutions to develop skill training centres.
- Public-private partnerships to create shared learning infrastructure accessible to students from multiple institutions.
Conclusion: Building a Skills-Driven Higher Education Ecosystem
India stands at a pivotal point. With one of the world’s largest youth populations, our success in bridging the skill gap through higher education will determine our economic and social advancement.
The time for incremental change is over. We must reconceptualize our higher education system as a skills-first ecosystem, where degrees serve as gateways to meaningful, sustainable careers and not just not just pieces of paper.
At Symbiosis, we have witnessed the transformative impact of skill-integrated education—students graduate not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and expertise to excel in the modern workforce.
I firmly believe that by embracing industry partnerships, technology-driven learning, and vocational integration, we can establish a future-ready education system—one that not only prepares students for employment but also empowers them to innovate, lead, and drive progress in the global economy.
This is India’s moment to lead the world in skill-based higher education—and together, we can make it a reality.
