BAOU Advances Employability Agenda through RBM-Focused Faculty Development Programme

Ahmedabad | April 2026

The Commonwealth of Learning (COL) -Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA) in collaboration with Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University (BAOU), Ahmedabad, conducted a Faculty Development Programme (FDP) on Result-Based Management (RBM), Curriculum Review and Enhancement under the Graduate Employability Project. The programme marks a key step in the second phase of the initiative, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity and embedding outcome-based education practices across Open Universities (OUs) in India.

The workshops explored RBM as a transformative approach, emphasising measurable learning outcomes, accountability, and continuous improvement in curriculum design and delivery. The initiative builds on earlier stakeholder consultations and employability assessments, which provided insights into institutional readiness and the need to align higher education with emerging skills and workforce demands.

In his address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director COL-CEMCA, highlighted the shifting higher education landscape under flexible credit frameworks and emphasised the transition from a narrow “graduate employability” focus to a broader, lifelong “employability” approach. He urged institutions to embed employability attributes across curricula and adopt innovative pedagogies, noting the widening gap between academic outputs and industry requirements, particularly in emerging technology domains and workplace skills. Detailing the major and emerging industries and the job roles in various sectors in the state of Gujarat, Dr Shadrach discussed how BAOU can equip learners in high-tech shifts and compliment its role from being a content provider to a skills integrator.

In her opening remarks, Jane-Frances Agbu, Adviser: Higher Education, COL, outlined the structured, multi-phase approach of the Graduate Employability Project, which includes stakeholder engagement, readiness assessments, and the development of institutional frameworks. She underscored the importance of results-based management in tracking learner progress from enrolment to employment, and highlighted the FDP as a critical step in translating strategy into measurable, outcome-driven action.

In the closing remarks, Prof. Ami Upadhyay, Vice Chancellor BAOU, called for a fundamental shift in academic culture, urging institutions to move beyond traditional, theory-driven models and actively integrate skills, industry engagement, and real-world relevance into education. Stressing accountability, she emphasised that faculty must play a proactive role in building industry linkages and ensuring that graduates are equipped not just with degrees, but with the competencies required for meaningful employment.

The programme focused on equipping faculty with tools to design employability-oriented, skill-based courses aligned with industry needs. It also reinforced the importance of curriculum redesign, micro-credentials, apprenticeship models, and continuous monitoring of student outcomes. BAOU and COL-CEMCA reaffirmed its commitment to fostering collaboration, quality, and innovation, ensuring that learners are better prepared to meet the evolving demands of the workforce.