Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University (JGND PSOU), Patiala, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), New Delhi, conducted a three-day workshop on “Course Enhancement for Graduate Employability” to address the critical need for industry-aligned education at the PSOU Campus on 15-17 April 2026.

The event, under COL’s Graduate Emploaybility, focused on developing a roadmap for skill-oriented curriculum development to enhance the professional competencies of graduates.

In the inaugural address, Prof. (Dr.) Rattan Singh, Vice-Chancellor, JGND PSOU, emphasised the University’s commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically competent but also employable and socially conscious. He congratulated the organising committee for taking the lead in introducing new skill-based courses.

Delivering the special address online, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, highlighted insights from the Economic Survey of Punjab, pointing out the existing gap between available skills and industry requirements. He stressed that open universities are uniquely positioned to bridge this gap through flexible and relevant programming.

The workshop saw active participation from faculty members and academic planners across disciplines, who engaged in group work, peer review and expert consultations over the three days.

The workshop concluded with the formulation of a preliminary action plan outlining priority courses for enhancement, timelines for curriculum revision, and strategies for industry engagement. Participants also identified the need for continuous capacity building of faculty and the integration of digital and blended learning approaches to support skill delivery.

JGND PSOU and COL-CEMCA reaffirmed their commitment to sustained collaboration in advancing the graduate employability agenda.