KSOU to expand skill courses in AI, cybersecurity, green energy

The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) is set to significantly expand its skill-development initiatives and introduce employment-oriented and industry relevant skill programmes in emerging and future-oriented sectors such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, data and digital technologies, cybersecurity, cloud technologies and renewable energy.

Vice-Chancellor A.P. Gnana Prakash announced this on Friday while delivering the presidential address at a capacity-building workshop on “NCVET Dual Recognition: Operationalising Skill Development, Assessment and Awarding Functions” at KSOU here.

“With NCVET recognition, KSOU now has a valuable opportunity. We must convert this opportunity into quality programmes, credible skills, better employability and improved livelihoods,” he said. At the same time, the Vice-Chancellor said, our vision should not be restricted only to high-end technology.

“Karnataka has diverse skill requirements. There are opportunities in agriculture and allied sectors, MSMEs, healthcare, tourism and hospitality, logistics, retail, traditional occupations and other service sectors. Skill programmes must ultimately respond to the needs of learners and the economy,” he argued.

Prof. Gnana Prakash said the University also intends to explore the establishment and strengthening of Multi-Skill Development Training Centres. “We also intend to explore opportunities available under various Central and State government skill-development initiatives and sponsored programmes.

Wherever appropriate, KSOU would like to collaborate with government departments, skill-development agencies, Sector Skill Councils, industries and other stakeholders to take skill training to a larger number of beneficiaries,” he explained.

Over the last few years, KSOU has been consciously strengthening its skill-development ecosystem. “We have been making efforts to integrate discipline-specific skills and general employability skills into our academic programmes.

Our intention is that a learner graduating from KSOU should not merely possess subject knowledge, but should also acquire competencies that improve employability, entrepreneurship and professional growth.” The University has entered into an MoU with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and has initiated the Centre for Future Skills, with a view to providing contemporary and emerging skills to our learners, he said.

He said KSOU made sustained efforts to obtain recognition from the National Council for Vocational Education and Training – NCVET. “I am happy to state that these efforts have resulted in KSOU being accorded dual recognition for Assessment and Awarding functions under the NCVET framework.

For us, this recognition is a significant institutional milestone. However, we also clearly understand that obtaining recognition is only the first step. The greater challenge is to operationalise it effectively,” Prof. Gnana Prakash said.

K.R. Nagar MLA and KSOU Board of Management Member D. Ravishankar, NCVET Executive Member Ashok Kumar Gaba, NCVET Senior Consultant Amit Sharma, KSOU Registrar S.K. Naveen Kumar and other officials and faculty members were present.