New courses to boost employability of graduates

To improve the employability of students graduating from engineering colleges, Anna University has proposed to introduce employment enhancement courses and increase internship opportunities for its undergraduate students from this academic year.

The university has been offering courses for post-graduate students based on their orientation towards industry or research. From this year, undergraduate students can also take courses that will prepare them for the industry.

Internship offer

The university is planning to create more internship opportunities as well during the even semester for students of affiliated colleges. “Internship is a good experience for students as they learn about skills the industry requires from them. Anna University’s departments give sufficient time for students to take up internships. But affiliated colleges offer more courses and exams. So far the exam schedule has been for 42-43 days. We are hoping that at least in the lean semesters such as the second, the fourth and the sixth, the gap can be reduced so that summer vacations are longer and students can benefit from doing internships,” Higher Education Secretary Sunil Paliwal said.

The university is also planning to revise the curriculum this year based on discussion with the industry and guidelines provided by the All India Council of Technical Education, said T.V. Geetha, Dean, College of Engineering, Guindy. The last revision was in 2013.

B. Arch students will be offered Professional Enhancement Courses, which will form 15% of the curriculum, said Ranee Vedamuthu, Dean of School of Architecture and Planning.