Pedagogy, Framework and Objectives of Skill University:

5. Pedagogy, Framework and Objectives of Skill University: (1) Pedagogy of Skill University:- The Skill University, focussing on vocational education, shall be different from the academic university, focussing on higher education, in its establishment, functioning and objectives, as illustrated below: (a) Vocational education will be a choice of pursuit for those candidates who are vocationally inclined having a passion for crafts, trades or for entrepreneurship or require employability enablement with minimal opportunity cost of time. (b) Focus on design and delivery of competency-building-modules and vocational courses, etc. for enabling skill-based employability, self-employment and gig- engagement etc. Further culmination of vocational education is in being a maestro of the practical trade as compared to pursuit of academic research and theoretical interests in any discipline of study. (c) Award of credentials through credits-based-continuum including certificates, diplomas, advanced diplomas, etc. would be encouraged for a ‘learner-centric’ education paradigm as compared to traditional once-in-a-lifetime degree-based pedagogy for academic qualifications. Degrees can be offered where required including as culmination of study, experience and practice. (d) Imparting continuing education or on-the-go learning especially for practitioners to enable ‘learn while you earn’ with learning delivered in various modes including blended learning modes ranging from on-campus to off-campus, digital, onsite and on-the-job modes to augment the larger narrative of experiential learning, post-industry-experience-entrepreneurship. (e) The Skill University shall have the flexibility for innovative approaches to be fast-paced, industry-aligned, technology embedded, modular in nature, focussed on domain knowledge and competency that involves multiple stakeholders with Industry expertise, market led pedagogy, demand-synced-courseware, learner- centricity with national, international, industry partnerships forming the fulcrum. (f) Based on demand-assessment and skill-gaps, future projections etc. in different sectors of industry, the Skill University shall transform, revise and bring about necessary changes in its governance, curricular, pedagogy, award of credentials including degrees, recognition of prior learning, etc. to meet the demands of market and industry in order to be relevant. (g) The faculty of Skill University shall generally be competent practitioners with work experience or skilled professionals. (2) The Skill University shall follow a tiered approach to impart efficient vocational education delivery:- (a) Employability focussed courses/modules through credits-based-continuum shall offer skill-based programmes at different levels of certification including in line with International standards or Market requirements or Indian National Skills Qualification Framework or National and State Education Policy. Where an award of a degree is needed, the same would be granted based on applicable norms and standards including as determined by the Governing Council of the Skill University. (b) Continuing education for certificate/diploma holders to graduate to advanced diplomas and award of degree based on ‘Practitioner-on-the-go-education’ paradigm would also be pursued to enable career progression for various skilled professionals. Where an award of a degree is needed, the same would be granted based on applicable norms and standards for continuing on-the-go education including as determined by the Governing Council of the Skill University. (c) Digital learning shall also be offered where the application of such learning is geared towards domains including of digital economy and where employability avenues are typically in virtual domain. (3) The Skill University shall have the following objectives: – (a) to emerge as the foremost institution of quality in skill education recognised by industry, nationally and internationally; (b) to provide career-oriented education and skills to students interested in directly entering the workforce or entrepreneurship or launching a start-up; (c) to provide learning, teaching, entrepreneurial training, capability building and skills development covering a wide spectrum of domains and specializations as may be relevant from time to time in the fields of study or trade or industry etc. in which jobs are available or are likely to be created in future, or a start-up can be launched, including the imparting of skills that enhance employability; (d) to develop qualified youth with skill proficiency and competency at different levels including as per prescribed National or State qualifications of skill education; (e) to promote skill education, innovation, entrepreneurship in an integrated and holistic manner to ensure pathways for career progression and upward mobility; (f) to provide opportunities for flexible learning systems and provide a medium for lifelong and continued learning and skill development to enhance employability; (g) to provide entrepreneurial orientation along with required skill training for self- employment and entrepreneurship development; (h) to provide students an opportunity of life long and continuous training through the courses offered through conventional or blended or distance or open or online education and other education delivery models suitable for different pedagogical approaches and systems by the Skill University; (i) to frame a choice-based credit system for competency-based skill and vocational education; (j) to provide a teaching learning pedagogy focused on hands-on training, professional and skill-based training in line with market and industry needs; (k) to exchange expertise and best practices in support of skill development efforts in collaboration with any other college, institution, university, organization or body etc.; (l) to establish innovative approaches for creation of seamlessness in academic structures, learning time-frames, and working and continuous evaluation processes for nurturing and cultivation of creativity and enabling entrepreneurship; (m) to reach the unreached by using latest Information Communication Technology to deliver education, training and teaching resources to learners; (n) to undertake programmes for the training and development of the human resources such as the teachers of the Skill University and other skill imparting institutions; (o) to start skills development programmes, soft skills, courses in new and emerging areas with innovative approaches; (p) to provide a teaching learning pedagogy which combines multiple forms of education and learning pedagogy and course delivery (blended or distance or open or online or skill or other) and thus provide a ‘Virtual Campus’ where students will come together with experienced faculty and industry members to develop and evolve; (q) to provide consultancy to government and semi-government agencies, public and private industries; (r) to prepare and design courses of study and training modules and conduct skill gap analysis in consultation and in partnership with industry with the objective of determination of the skilled manpower needs or requirements of the market and industry; (s) to create an Industry Academia partnership by inviting industry and institutions for mutual benefits; (t) to ensure that the standard of degree, diploma, certificates and other academic distinctions are fit-for-purpose with respect to the needs of market and industry for employment and entrepreneurship, innovation and launch of start-ups; (u) to disseminate skills knowledge through seminars, conferences, executive education programmes, community development programmes, publications and training programmes; (v) to collaborate with business, industry, and institutions, universities, laboratories or agencies or organizations of repute from within the State or from other States or Union Territories of India or foreign countries, to offer joint programmes or courses or research or for exchange of faculty and students, or for sharing information and best practices, and to give or receive equipment or resources or grants or consultancy for the benefit of students; (w) to provide students with technical, vocational and skill-based education and training by offering Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctoral programs in high growth sectors and offer various specializations to prepare the students for gainful employability and vertical mobility; (x) to create entrepreneurs by providing necessary skill and support systems; (y) to pursue action research including through tinkering laboratories for enabling adaptive learning, innovation through hands-on methodology in products, services, platforms, and technologies; and (z) to pursue any other objective as may be necessary to further the objectives of the Skill University.