Colleges face challenges in preparing industry-ready students
In conversation with The Tribune, Dr Neerja Dhingra, Principal of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, shares insights on the challenges faced by colleges in preparing industry-ready students.
Today’s students and parents seek more than academic excellence; they demand real-world skills and global career readiness. According to Dr Dhingra, the biggest challenge for colleges is bridging the gap between education and employability by offering industry-relevant, skill-based courses that prepare students for the evolving job market.
Colleges must diversify their offerings by incorporating vocational and professional programmes in fields such as physiotherapy, multimedia, performing arts, applied art, design, journalism, mass communication and e-commerce. These programmes need to be tailored to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry.
To reinforce the importance of skill-based education, colleges should actively support international collaborations, workshops and cultural and study exchange programmes. Such initiatives broaden students’ academic horizons and enhance their global employability.
Vocational training plays a pivotal role in empowering students with practical skills. In today’s dynamic job market, vocational degrees such as B.Voc. and M.Voc. in areas like data science, cosmetology, theatre, stagecraft and e-commerce help fulfil the modern workforce’s needs.
Additionally, a variety of short-term skill-oriented, value-added courses—ranging from three months to one year—such as graphic design, illustration, website design, digital marketing, beauty and wellness should be offered as add-on programmes for first-year students to enhance their skillsets. An interdisciplinary approach is essential to encourage students to explore beyond their core subjects.
Annual Youth Festivals provide a significant platform for inter-disciplinary learning, allowing students to excel in theatre, dance, music, painting and oratory skills based on their interests.
Furthermore, colleges must involve students in public participation events organised by district administrations, civic projects, social initiatives and city beautification drives. Such activities foster a sense of community responsibility and social awareness among students.
Promotion of online learning platforms like SWAYAM and NPTEL, along with ensuring access to internships through government-supported portals such as Internshala, is also vital. Quality education depends on good infrastructure, including auditoriums, seminar and conference halls, and well-equipped labs and studios to aid learning. Regular industrial visits, workshops, and innovative pedagogical methods like flipped classrooms, which connect theory with practice, are essential for preparing students for professional roles.
Ethics, integrity and moral values need to be deeply integrated into academic life. Promoting a value-based culture through community outreach and student mentoring ensures graduates emerge as responsible, compassionate, and morally grounded citizens.
Founded 50 years ago, Apeejay College of Fine Arts pioneered undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in music, dance, and painting. Its early commitment to postgraduate education laid the foundation for employability, a tradition that continues to shape the college’s identity. The institution has also maintained its status as a champion of Youth Festivals for 24 consecutive years, nurturing youth talent across disciplines.
Jalandhar