A digital platform to address unemployability

It is not the lack of opportunities but how one applies the mind to address a challenge that paves way for a career.

The launch of an app, D4EClub (Digitally for Engineers), on Tuesday was a platform to address the issue of unemployability and ways to improve engineering education in the country. Speakers unanimously advocated the idea of entrepreneurship that would not only provide jobs but also help sustain the small and medium enterprises.

Governor Banwarilal Purohit, who launched the app, said with technology evolving continuously there were plenty of opportunities to launch new ventures. “Don’t be disheartened. There is future. India has a large ecosystem of start-ups that depends on small and medium enterprises for sustenance,” he said.

Former Odisha Governor M.M. Rajendran urged colleges to update the knowledge of teachers and bring on sabbatical experts among the Indian diaspora abroad to teach the students. Students should remain updated and absorb the technologies and automation.

Anna University Vice-Chancellor M.K. Surappa said by enhancing the thinking capability of students the problem of unemployment could be addressed. Greater interaction between the students and the industry and between the students and the faculty outside the classroom would not only motivate students but also inspire teachers, he said.

Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education Anil Sahasrabudhe said the council had revamped its curriculum and launched more outside the class activity. He urged the industry to give inputs to improve engineering education every year and provide more internship opportunities as this would lead to jobs for the students. He suggested that the app include the start-up system too to offer support, hand hold and mentor the students. Ram Mohan Mishra, additional secretary, MSME, wanted that every institution should be an enterprise that would nurture and grow. K.E. Raghunathan, who created the app, said the objective of the app was to provide a platform for the educational institutions, the faculty, the students and the industry to interact and connect.