Participants of the conference.
Chumoukedima, September 11 (MExN): The Department of Political Science at St. Joseph University, Chumoukedima, in collaboration with the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) and NETRA Foundation, hosted the “SJU Conference 2024 on Skill Development and Internship” on September 9 at the university campus. The event brought together educators and experts to discuss strategies for enhancing skill development and internship opportunities within the framework of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Er. Alongse Sangtam, Joint Director, and Menguzelie Suohu, Assistant Project Officer at the Directorate of Employment, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, Government of Nagaland, served as the key resource persons for the conference.
Attendees included Heads of Institutions and members of Skill Development Committees from St. John College, Unity College, C-Edge College, Dimapur Government College, Mount Mary College, Modern College, City College of Arts and Commerce, and Eastern Christian College, as well as Heads of Departments from St. Joseph University.
The conference provided a platform for the exchange of ideas and practices related to skill development and internship implementation. Participants were divided into groups to explore effective approaches to bridging the gap between academic learning and industry requirements. Presentations highlighted various skill development initiatives and internships undertaken by institutions, emphasizing their role in enhancing students’ employability and growth.
However, the discussions also revealed several challenges faced by educational institutions, including structural constraints, a lack of industry collaboration, socio-economic factors, limited internship-providing agencies, and insufficient financial resources.
A question-and-answer session with the resource persons addressed these challenges, providing valuable insights into government projects aimed at promoting skill development and improving employability for youths. The experts stressed the importance of adopting a growth mindset and continuously seeking opportunities for skill development through formal education, on-the-job training, and self-directed learning. They also encouraged institutions to collaborate in establishing centers for skill development to ensure that educational programs are relevant, industry-aligned, and accessible to a broad range of learners.
