The Odisha state government has showed interest to introduce Bachelor of Vocational Course (B.Voc) in degree colleges across the state.
The Directorate of Vocational Education, Odisha has selected 50 degree college across the state to introduce three-year B.Voc course from the academic year 2014-15.
To increase the employability of graduates and meeting industry requirements for ready-to-work students, state govt shows interest to introduce this course.
As per the UGC's 12th-year plan guidelines, principal of these colleges was asked to submit their proposal and fund requirements.
According to the pattern of the programme, students will be trained to acquire a certain level of professional skill besides core skills and responsibilities.
The selected college will get financial assistance from UGC up to Rs 1.85 crore for the first three years. More than 600 degree colleges are there in the state. The prominent colleges are GM Autonomous College, RD Women's College, FM Autonomous College, BJB Autonomous College and Sb Women's College have been selected.
Most of the other states had already started this course. At present, the State Government is providing vocational education at Plus Two level (Plus Two Vocational Education Programme in Government Vocational Junior Colleges).