Reinforcing its commitment to rural empowerment and social transformation, the Central University of Punjab (CU Punjab), under the visionary leadership of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari, organized a special Community Interaction Programme to connect rural youth with employment-oriented educational opportunities, skill development pathways, and drug de-addiction awareness. Around 100 participants, including village sarpanches, local youth, and community members from 10 villages, actively participated in the programme.

During this programme, participants were informed about CU Punjab’s six newly launched NCVET-approved Skill Development Courses: Assistant Plumber – General, Helper Electrician, Fundamentals of Computers, Introduction to Tally Operation and GST Calculation, Biomedical Waste Management for Nursing and Paramedical Staff, and Essentials of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. University officials informed participants that these courses have been specially designed for youngsters who have passed 8th, 9th, 10th, or 12th standards and possess relevant experience while seeking to further enhance their skills and employability. Detailed eligibility criteria, course structure, and admission-related information are available in the University Prospectus on the official CU Punjab website.

Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raghavendra P. Tiwari apprised participants of the significance of the six job-oriented Skill Development Courses launched under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and approved by the National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India. He emphasized that skill-based education has the potential to bring prosperity to the nation and stated that universities must go beyond awarding degrees by promoting employment-oriented skill development programmes, especially for youth unable to pursue higher studies, to make them self-reliant, future-ready, and active contributors to nation-building through employability, entrepreneurship, and social empowerment. He also urged youth and communities to work together towards a drug-free society through skill development and positive engagement.

Prof. Kiran Hazarika, Pro Vice-Chancellor, highlighted that these skill development programmes offer valuable avenues for employment, entrepreneurship, and self-employment by equipping learners with practical and industry-relevant expertise in sectors such as electrical work, plumbing, computing, accounting, healthcare, and technical services.

Registrar Dr. Vijay Sharma elaborated on the structure and vision of these programmes, stating that the courses have been introduced to strengthen employability, self-reliance, and vocational excellence among youth in alignment with the national missions of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat. He noted that the programmes have been designed with flexible eligibility criteria, affordable fee structures, and extensive practical training components to ensure accessibility for youth from diverse educational backgrounds, particularly those from rural and semi-urban communities.

Towards the end, Dr. Rajkumar Sharma, Finance Officer, reaffirmed the University’s commitment to expanding awareness so that maximum youth from underserved communities can benefit from these transformative opportunities and expressed gratitude to all participants. Prof. Sanjeev Thakur, Dr. Sanjeev Mander, and Dr. Akash Prakash, University Medical Officer, moderated the programme and sensitized participants to the University’s broader community outreach initiatives promoting drug de-addiction and social well-being. Village sarpanches and local residents commended the University’s proactive engagement with rural communities to spread awareness about accessible career-oriented opportunities, and initiative drug de-addiction community outreach.

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