Amaravati, Apr 30 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday stressed the need for future-ready education, calling for restructuring of academic programmes in line with evolving global and industry requirements in Andhra Pradesh.
At a review meeting on the education sector held at the Secretariat, Naidu directed officials to redesign university courses and transform higher education institutions into hubs of research and innovation.
He emphasised forecasting course demand based on emerging trends and market needs.
Highlighting sectors such as logistics and green energy as potential game changers, Naidu said new courses must be aligned with industry demand.
He appreciated Andhra University for introducing a quantum technology course, the first of its kind in the state.
The Chief Minister underscored the need for universities in the state to compete at an international level and called for partnerships with the world’s top 200 universities.
He also suggested that each university be linked with at least one industrial partner and directed the establishment of foreign language departments, including German, across institutions.
From primary to postgraduate levels, curricula should be redesigned to focus on both career building and character development, he said, adding that best practices in health, technology and global standards should be incorporated, drawing from premier institutions such as Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
He also instructed that university records be fully digitised.
Naidu said several reputed institutions have come forward to establish universities in sectors like logistics, aviation and horticulture in the state.
He directed officials to improve mid-day meal menus to support students’ physical and mental development and promote kitchen gardens in hostels and residential schools.
He also asked for enabling parents to track student attendance and progress through digital platforms such as the LEAP app.
Emphasising holistic development, the Chief Minister highlighted the importance of co-curricular activities, sports and mental well-being.
He directed that diverse course combinations be offered at the intermediate level and that faculty be reoriented accordingly, while also stressing cleanliness and maintenance of sanitation facilities.
He further called for a random skill audit to assess whether youth possess industry-relevant skills and proposed appointing Skill Gap Advisors to guide skill development initiatives.
The state aims to provide employment to 20 lakh youth with full skill competency, he said.
Naidu also suggested developing Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) under a hub-and-spoke model through initiatives such as PM SETU and strengthening skills in areas like energy, logistics, quantum technology and artificial intelligence through polytechnics and engineering institutions.
Minister for IT and Education Nara Lokesh, informed that courses are being restructured in line with industrial requirements and that teachers are being sent to countries like Finland to study advanced teaching methodologies. He said efforts are underway to strengthen foundational literacy and numeracy under a Teacher–Student–Outcome framework.
TNT KM
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