On-campus assessment of employability for B'lore varsity students

Students of Bangalore University will have the benefit of on-campus assessment of their readiness for employment from this year.

The university signed an MoU with Aspiring Minds, an employability solutions company, here on Friday.

Speaking to mediapersons after the MoU was signed, Vice-Chancellor Prof B Thimme Gowda said this year the university would restrict itself to providing the assessment for students in the final year. However, from next year, it would be open to first-year students as well. The test will be coordinated by the university’s Central Placement Cell.

The company will conduct an online test for skill assessment, called the Aspiring Mind Computer Adaptive Test (AMCAT). Students will be tested on language, aptitude, domain knowledge and personality. The test would be tailored for each individual stream.

Explaining the mode of the test, Shiladitya Patnaik, associate vice president, Aspiring Minds Assessments Pvt Ltd, said students would be assessed on various parameters within each area of test. For instance, in the language component they would be tested for grammar and comprehension among others. This would help the students identify the specific areas they need to improve.

While the test will be restricted to assessment, the university is planning to develop programmes to help students improve in these areas. As of now, the test will be free but from next year, a nominal fee, not burdening the students, would be charged, the Vice-Chancellor added.