Internships as a Catalyst for Employability: India's Vision to Empower One Crore Students by 2025
In a significant development for students across India, they will now have the opportunity to gain professional and work training alongside their degree programs. The National Internship Portal aims to provide internships to one crore female students by 2025, offering benefits in various fields, including engineering, architecture, management, nursing, pharmacy, arts, and more. This initiative, led by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), is in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of integrating skill development with traditional education.
Key Points:
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Shift to Practical Learning: The initiative acknowledges that students should not only acquire theoretical knowledge through their coursework but also develop practical skills before obtaining their degree. This approach emphasizes experiential learning, giving students a deeper understanding of their chosen field.
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Significance of Internships: The main objective of the internship program is to prepare higher education students for their future needs before they leave their educational institutions. It equips them with practical knowledge that complements their academic learning, making them job-ready.
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Multiple Internship Opportunities: Under the scheme, students will have opportunities to intern in government departments, MSMEs, startups, and multinational companies. It aims to provide internships to 40 lakh students in government departments, 10 lakh in MSMEs, 15 lakh in startups, and over 15 lakh in multinational companies, research organizations, and non-governmental entities.
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Transformation of Internship Portal: The initiative marks a transformation of the AICTE Internship Portal into the National Internship Portal, expanding its reach to a wider range of students and institutions.
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Inclusion of PSUs: This initiative has also incorporated public sector undertakings (PSUs), giving students an opportunity to intern with these organizations. Students can undertake internships with PSUs in the second or third year of their degree programs.
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Profile Registration: Both students and companies must register on the portal. Students need to provide information about their course, skills, preferred sector, and language proficiency. This information is cross-checked by their educational institutions.
Student Choice in State and City: Students can choose internships based on their preferences, including the state and city they wish to intern in, as well as the sector, salary, and duration of the internship.
The integration of internships with traditional degree programs aligns with the New Education Policy 2020, emphasizing practical, skill-oriented learning. This initiative will not only empower students with real-world experience but also bridge the gap between academia and industry, making them more employable and ready for the challenges of the workforce. By providing a diverse range of internship opportunities, the program aims to cater to students' diverse interests and career goals while promoting skill development and experiential learning in the Indian higher education landscape.