Higher Education Department wants HoDs to prepare students for placement; activists cry foul

The Tamil Nadu Higher Education Department has instructed Heads of Departments (HoDs) at higher education institutions to take primary responsibility for preparing students for employment. However, education activists have criticized this move, arguing that HoDs, who are specialists in their academic fields, should not be expected to carry out the duties of placement officers.

The department's decision was communicated in a letter to key officials, including the Commissioner of Collegiate Education, Director of Technical Education, and Registrars of universities.

The HoDs are required to establish associations with three to five private businesses in their fields, formalizing these relationships through memorandums of understanding. These agreements aim to facilitate regular interactions, industry-related tasks, and mini projects that familiarize students with real-world practices. Basic sciences and Commerce departments will also participate in this initiative.

The department has compiled a list of 173 skills relevant to subjects taught in Arts and Science colleges, such as digital marketing in Language and Social Sciences.

HoDs are tasked with identifying two to three skill training areas, each containing six skills. Institutions must seek training, support, and other requirements from the Tamil Nadu State Council for Higher Education (TANSCHE). A list of five placement coordinators from each institution should be submitted to TANSCHE by November 16.

Critics argue that this directive is a step towards implementing various components of the National Education Policy 2020, which aims to commercialize education and transform institutions into vocational training centers. Education activists contend that this shift should not involve professors and department heads, whose primary role should be guiding research, overseeing academic processes, and managing administrative tasks.