Dhubri’s Bholanath College, in collaboration with the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust, has launched a credit-linked Skill Development Internship Programme for its fourth-semester undergraduate students. The initiative, announced on June 23, 2026, aims to equip students with practical vocational skills to enhance their employability and entrepreneurial capabilities.

This programme marks a significant step towards integrating vocational training into mainstream higher education, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s emphasis on skill-based learning and industry exposure. It is expected to benefit a substantial number of students by providing hands-on experience in various fields, thereby bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world job market demands.

What was announced

Bholanath College in Dhubri officially launched the Skill Development Internship Programme on June 23, 2026. The programme is specifically designed for fourth-semester undergraduate students and is credit-linked, meaning the internship work will contribute to their academic curriculum. This initiative is a joint effort with the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to rural development and empowerment.

The collaboration seeks to provide students with practical, hands-on vocational training. College officials stated that the programme is intended to foster both employability and entrepreneurial skills among the youth.

Why it matters

The newly launched internship programme holds significant importance for students in Assam, particularly in the Dhubri region, by directly addressing the need for job-ready skills. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 mandates internships as a compulsory component of undergraduate programmes to ensure students gain practical industry experience before graduation.

This initiative is expected to enhance the global competitiveness of Assam’s youth by reducing skill gaps and unemployment issues, which have been a persistent challenge in the state. The programme provides a structured pathway for students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, thereby improving their chances of securing meaningful employment or starting their own ventures.

Background

The launch of this skill development programme is in line with the broader national and state-level focus on vocational education and skill enhancement. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has been a transformative reform, explicitly calling for the integration of vocational education with general education from an early stage, and extending to higher education institutions.

The NEP 2020 envisions promoting quality research in higher education and ensuring that higher education institutions (HEIs) produce engaged, productive, and contributing citizens. It integrates internships as a compulsory component in the Credit and Curriculum Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUGP), aiming to equip students with 21st-century skills for the future workforce.

Assam has also made significant strides in skill development. The Assam Skill Development Mission (ASDM), established by the Government of Assam under the Skill, Employment and Entrepreneurship Department, aims to build the capacity of unemployed youth and deliver quality skill training for meaningful employment. Various initiatives under ASDM, such as the Placement Linked Skill Development Training Program (PLSDTP) and collaborations with industries, have been working to bridge skill gaps and promote entrepreneurship across the state.

The Kasturba Gandhi National Memorial Trust, co-sponsoring this initiative, was established in 1945 by Mahatma Gandhi in memory of his wife. The Trust is dedicated to the socio-economic upliftment of rural women and children through Gandhian principles of self-reliance and community service. Its core objectives include addressing health, education, literacy, vocational skills, and employment generation, particularly for disadvantaged populations.

Key details

The Skill Development Internship Programme at Bholanath College is designed as a credit-linked course for fourth-semester undergraduate students. While specific vocational fields were not detailed in the initial announcement, such programmes typically cover sectors like information technology, healthcare, retail, tourism, agriculture, electronics, and beauty and wellness, as highlighted in broader skill development initiatives in Assam.

The internship is expected to provide experiential learning opportunities, involving engagement with local industries, business establishments, government organisations, or individual professionals. This approach aims to induct students into formal work situations, allowing them to gain practical exposure and develop industry-relevant competencies.

What’s next

Following the launch, Bholanath College and the Kasturba Gandhi Memorial Trust are expected to outline detailed implementation plans, including the selection process for students, the duration of internships, and the specific industries or organisations where students will be placed. The success of this programme will likely be monitored for its impact on student employability and its potential for expansion to other academic semesters or institutions in the future.

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