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A Journey in Centurian University, India.

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Mahfuuzur Rahman:
A Journey in Centurian University, India

I, Md. Humayun Kabir, Senior Officer at the Career Development Center (CDC) of Daffodil International University (DIU), visited Centurian University, India from June 22-28, 2024. The visit aimed to explore and learn about Centurian University's innovative micro-credential course structure, skill development programs, and their integration into higher education. This report outlines the overall experience, key learnings, potential implementation areas at DIU, and anticipated outcomes.

Overall Experience:
During the visit, I was engaged in a comprehensive exploration of Centurian University's pioneering approach to skill-integrated higher education. Key activities included:

1. Attending a team meeting with the Head of the Micro-credential Course.
2. Observing the integration of short courses, skill courses, domain courses, and advanced courses into the academic curriculum.
3. Understanding the implementation of the Bank of Credit Course and the Job Readiness Course (Employability 360 Course).
4. Reviewing the extensive course offerings, which include 117 short skills courses and 46 domain skill courses.

Key Learnings:
The visit provided valuable insights into Centurian University's model, which emphasizes employability and entrepreneurship through skill-based education. Key learnings include:

1. Course Structure: Centurian University's curriculum integrates 40-45 skills courses within a 3-year academic program. A 12-credit short skills course must be completed within the first two years. In the final year, students choose 20-33 major or domain skill courses relevant to their department.

2. Job Readiness Course: The 6-credit Job Readiness Course aims to enhance students' employability skills. The university's research team identifies in-demand skill courses to align the curriculum with market needs.

3. Integration and Impact: Skills courses are integrated into the academic curriculum, ensuring students gain practical and industry-relevant skills. The model has received recognition from multiple governments, international organizations, and policy think tanks.

Implementation Areas at DIU:
Based on the learnings from Centurian University, the following implementation plan is proposed for DIU:

1. Identify Skill Needs: Collaborate with industry partners and alumni to identify the most in-demand skills for DIU graduates.

2. Course Development: Develop over 100 short skills courses focused on practical and industry-relevant skills. Create 40+ domain-specific courses aligned with different academic departments.Design advanced courses for final-year students to deepen their expertise.

3. Job Readiness Course: Introduce a 6-credit Job Readiness Course to prepare students for the job market.

4. Curriculum Integration: Integrate skill courses into the existing academic curriculum, ensuring students take a certain number of skill courses each year.

5. Faculty Training: Train faculty members to deliver these new courses effectively and consider hiring industry experts as guest lecturers.

6. Infrastructure and Resources: Ensure the necessary infrastructure (labs, workshops, online platforms) is in place to support these courses.

7. Partnerships: Establish partnerships with industry leaders to ensure course content remains relevant and up-to-date.

8. Internships and Projects: Incorporate internships and industry projects as part of the skill courses to provide practical experience.


Conclusion:
Integrating the micro-credential course structure from Centurian University at DIU has the potential to significantly enhance student employability and ensure alignment with industry demands. The pilot program's success will depend on the collaboration between DIU's Career Development Center (CDC), Daffodil International Professional Training Institute (DIPTI), and industry partners. By implementing a well-designed skill development program, DIU can prepare its graduates with the necessary skills to thrive in the evolving job market. This initiative will not only boost the students' career prospects but also solidify DIU's position as a leading institution in skill-based education.



By-
Md. Humayun Kabir Polash
Senior Administrative Officer,
Career Development Center (CDC)
Daffodil International University.

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