BU expanding reach of skill assessment test for PG students

The Central Placement Cell of Bangalore University (BU) is slowly expanding the reach of its skill assessment test for its postgraduate (PG) students and 400 such students have already taken the test.

With the aim to enable students improve their skill sets and aptitude for better employability, BU started the process of conducting such skill assessment tests towards the end of last year.

An MoU was also signed between the university and Aspiring Minds, an employability evaluation and certification company, that is conducting the test. The process started with a pilot assessment test that included only 120 students from the MBA (Masters of Business Administration) department. However, more students have been included in the last six months since the pilot test.

400 students take test

“As of now, around 400 final year students from various departments have already taken the test. We plan to include more students in the coming years,” said M K Sridhar, Dean and Director, Canara Bank School of Management who is also the head of the placement cell.

The 400 students belong to the departments of MBA, Commerce, Business Studies, Chemistry and Biochemistry, according to Sridhar.

Besides the fourth semester/ final year postgraduation students, the test will also be conducted for first year PG students.

“We are getting responses and queries from companies. However, something that is greatly needed at the moment is greater awareness about the test,” he said.

Will expand year by year

B Thimmegowda, Vice Chancellor, BU said that the aim is to provide the skill assessment test to “all postgraduate students under BU.” “The ambit of the test will be expanded year by year. The University will also contact as many potential employers as possible. However, we will first concentrate on companies within the State and then proceed to contact those from outside,” Thimmegowda added.

Bangalore University had various rounds of consultation with industry experts and professionals on improving employment opportunities for its students.

Suggestions galore

The latter gave a number of suggestions in this regard such as improvement in basic communication skills, soft skills etc.

The skill assessment test was one measure in the direction to improve such employment opportunities for students.