The proposed Knowledge Acquisition and Upgradation of Skilled Human Abilities and Livelihood (KAUSHAL) centres will be set up from the upcoming academic year, a senior University Grants Commission (UGC) official said today.

As part of its effort to meet the increasing demand for skilled hands, the UGC has decided to set up 100 KAUSHAL Centres across the country in Government institutions and universities, UGC Vice-Chairman, H Devaraj, said.

Under the scheme, selected institutions will be given assistance of Rs 5 crore for developing skilled courses for a diploma, advanced diploma, bachelor of vocation, master in vocation streams and also PhD, he said, adding, the last date for applications is February 25.

UGC-approved community colleges or institutions conducting Bachelor courses in vocational studies were also eligible to get assistance, while private institutions could start the course without any UGC aid, he told reporters here on the sidelines of a graduation day at a private institute here.

To monitor the progress of the KAUSHAL centres, a National Resources Council would be set up with a funding of Rs 25 crore, he said.

Similarly, there was also a proposal to start an e-course in elective and soft skills under the National Mission for Education with an outlay of Rs 100 crore, he said.

UGC has been entrusted the work of developing e-content in 71 subjects at the post-graduate level for the ‘E PG-Pathashala scheme, Devaraj said, adding, the content and its quality were the key component of this education system.

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