Department of education has drawn up a scheme to impart skill sets among plus-two and undergraduate students with a view to enhancing employability.

The module comprises of 300 hours of training of which 100 hours is earmarked for communicative English and 80 hours for IT, according to P.K. Abdu Rabb, Minister for Education.

NORMAL CURRICULUM

No less than 120 hours will be utilised to cover relevant job-related subjects. Students will complete this programme along with their normal curriculum.

The minister said this while launching Advanced Molecular Materials Research Centre, first of kind in the State, at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

The research centre is being set up with the financial support of the Government of Kerala. Rabb said that State Government was committed to inculcating entrepreneurship among young generation. Imparting specific skill sets would only enhance their employability, he added.

LAND ALLOCATED

The Government will earmark 100 acres of land, apart from the 10 acres already allotted, for setting up an entrepreneurship Centre in Kochi.

Students will be provided opportunities for setting up new start-ups here. Facilities for incubation will also be offered. The concept is being implemented as part of the outcome of the Emerging Kerala Global Connect event, Rabb said.

The Government has already decided to make good shortage of up to 20 per cent in attendance for students involved in enterprise-building or innovations.

GRACE MARKS

Grace marks will be given to those engaged in business/industry incubation. The Minister said the State Cabinet had just cleared a proposal to send five students interested in new start-ups to Silicon Valley at Government cost.

Satheesh Kochuparambil, member of syndicate, presided over the function. Among those who spoke included M. R. Unni, registrar; professors M.C. Dileep Kumar; C.I. Abdul Rahiman; George Varghese; N. Jayakumar; P. K Firos; Suresh Mathew; C. Harilakshmeendrakumar; K. Jayachandran; and G. Sreekumar.

vinson.kurian@thehindu.co.in

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