University of Lucknow Takes Bold Steps to Empower Students with Innovation, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Under the visionary guidance of Hon’ble Vice Chancellor Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, University of Lucknow has formulated plans to prioritize and promote various activities aimed at enhancing innovation, skill development, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities for its students. These plans encompass short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.

In the short-term (0-4 years), the university intends to focus on skill development. This involves utilizing existing research infrastructure to train students in areas such as instrumentation, equipment handling, and designing. Additionally, the university plans to conduct training programs twice a year under the Prime Minister Formalization of Micro food processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme. Furthermore, the establishment of a Vocational Training Centre is envisioned, covering specialized fields such as Nano Technology and Nano Material for Drug Delivery, Natural Product Research, Food Testing Laboratory with NABCL certification, and Fashion Designing.

Moving to the mid-term goals (4-7 years), the university aims to establish a Centre for Skill Development. This center would offer need-based courses supported by industry and government, as well as provide open training programs. It would also support the development of other emerging skill development centers.

In the long-term (7-10 years), the university plans to link the skill development programs with career opportunities through a centralized Placement Cell. Graduates will be attracted to industries and academic institutions engaged in various projects. By acquiring skills and knowledge, students will be empowered to consider starting their own ventures, thus becoming not only job seekers but also job providers.

Additional long-term goals include skill development initiatives for local communities, such as nurturing rural technology, supporting rural innovations, scientifically standardizing traditional knowledge, and facilitating cost-effective techniques and technology transfer. The university also intends to develop a mobile skill development lab to extend its reach beyond the university boundaries and bring skills to the masses.

Furthermore, certification laboratories will be established to facilitate national and international certification of industries and research laboratories. Additionally, patenting laboratories will be set up to assist in patenting innovative practices and geographical indication (GI) tagging of innovative practices.

Prof Poonam Tandon, Dean Academics says that through these comprehensive plans, the University of Lucknow envisions equipping its students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in various fields, foster entrepreneurship, and contribute to both job creation and societal development.

Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Lucknow says that the end goal is to ensure that students are able to translate their academic knowledge into monetizable skills and to serve society as skilled personnel and job creators. Highly skilled human resource development is the end goal of a university education and University of Lucknow is determined to measure up to this commitment.