COL-CEMCA and IGNOU Lead National Effort to Enhance Graduate Employability

The Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), recently concluded a landmark three-day national Capacity Building Workshop on Implementing Graduate Employability and Understanding Skills Qualification Packs at IGNOU headquarters in New Delhi, India. Held from 4 to 6 June 2025, the workshop marked a significant milestone in advancing skill-based, inclusive, and outcome-oriented education across India’s open universities. It brought together Vice Chancellors and senior officials from 17 open universities across India, and provided them an opportunity to engage with NCVET officials, industry leaders, experts, and other stakeholders.

In the concluding session, Dr B. Shadrach, Director of COL-CEMCA, provided a comprehensive summary of the workshop, and welcomed the formation of the national-level open university consortium, the Indian Public Open Universities Association (IPOUA), evolving from earlier consultations in Nashik. “The association will foster collaboration, joint action, and unified policy advocacy on skills and employability. It aims to support the integration of vocational qualifications into academic programmes, aligned with NCVET standards,” Dr Shadrach stated. He highlighted the dual role Open Universities can play as both academic and vocational awarding bodies and committed to mentoring member institutions in attaining NCVET recognition through guidance from already accredited universities.

Throughout the workshop, the participants engaged in dynamic discussions on embedding skill-based learning into academic curricula. The Sessions covered critical themes such as industry-academia collaboration, inclusive education for learners with disabilities, and development of qualification packs.

ChangeInkk and COL-CEMCA’s Building University Inclusion for Learners with Disabilities (BUILD) initiative was prominently featured, reinforcing its dedication to inclusive education. The panel discussions stressed the importance of aligning academic outcomes with industry demands to ensure that graduates are job-ready. The participants also gained valuable insights into the processes and best practices involved in developing Qualification Packs, as shared by Ratan Tata Maharashtra State Skills University, Pune.

The key recommendations from the workshop included the introduction of credit-based modules in emerging sectors like solar and wind energy, enhanced faculty training, and stronger career services. The speakers advocated for a research-led, outcome-based curriculum tailored to real-world needs.

With the establishment of IPOUA and a clear roadmap for implementation, the workshop marked a pivotal step toward creating a future-ready, skilled graduate workforce in India’s open university system.

Images courtesy of IGNOU