Few autonomous colleges may offer UG with apprenticeship | Mumbai News – Times of India
Mumbai: The state govt’s plan to launch apprenticeship embedded degree programmes (AEDP) from next month may not find many takers among autonomous colleges, at least not this year.Despite a series of meetings, many colleges are apprehensive about hastily rolling out the initiative—which integrates apprenticeship training into the academic curriculum—without adequate preparation.Many principals said admissions have already commenced and offering a new programme or converting an existing one into AEDP will disturb their entire schedule.A principal pointed out that they are looking to convert one of the existing programmes into AEDP, but it will not be possible to do it this year. “The teaching staff are not available during the vacation. We may have to rearrange the credit structure a bit to accommodate apprenticeship. Above all, colleges will have to sign an MoU with the industry, which cannot be done at the 11th hour. Govt has been holding regular talks and workshops for the college, but admissions have already commenced.“Another principal said their college doesn’t have the physical infrastructure for a new programme. “We are just settling into the National Education Policy (NEP) framework and having a new programme with a slightly modified credit framework can’t be rushed into this year. We still don’t have classrooms to accommodate students when they go to the fourth year as degree programmes were only for three years before NEP,” said the principal, adding that they already have the BVoc programme that is similar to AEDP. A principal said they are starting a new skill course this year, but it is not aligned with AEDP and they have not promoted it as an AEDP course.While many colleges TOI spoke to said it would be difficult for them to start the programmes this year, Madhav Rajwade, principal of Sathaye College, said they already had an MoU with Sector Skill Council in logistics and supply chain management last year but could not launch the programme then and are ready to go ahead with it this year.Mulund College of Commerce (MCC) had enrolled about 20 students as it started late. Course coordinator Alpa Katira said students have to clear at least one skill course certification every semester. While the guidelines were released only this year, six colleges/universities started AEDP in 2024 and MCC was the only college under Mumbai University to do so.A senior govt official said a lot of progress is being made and follow-ups are being undertaken with all universities to ramp up action. Asked about colleges’ fears over the delay, the official said they would look into it.
