It pays to be unconventional

Delhi University’s (DU) College of Vocational Studies (CVS) getting 10,000 applications for its 350 seats justa proves it works being conventional, reports Rhythma Kaul.

Sometimes it works well to go the unconventional way.

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That is perhaps what explains Delhi University’s (DU) College of Vocational Studies (CVS) getting 10,000 applications for its 350 seats.

Since its inception in 1973, CVS is the oldest and only DU College to offer a full-time, three-year degree course in vocational studies.

The College was set up on an experimental basis to see how well it worked to teach vocational courses at the undergraduate level. And more than 30 years later, it is the most preferred place for students who are keen on taking up a job straight after graduation.

“Our courses are more for teaching students soft skills than hard ones. Almost all students are picked by companies by the end of their course,” said Dr Indra Jeet Dagar, principal CVS.

The College began by offering courses like BA in Tourism and Human Resource Management (see panel on right), and went on to add B.A. in Small and Medium Enterprises and in Marketing Management and Retail Business in 1983.

“We recently updated our curriculum to suit modern day needs of the market,” said Dr Dagar.

The revised structure of B.A. Vocational Studies has been divided into four main components—linguistics, computers proficiency, inter-disciplinary choices and basic knowledge of the chosen vocational programme, to help students pack in maximum information about the choice of vocational course.

“Many of my seniors have done their graduation from CVS, and today they all are earning really well,” said applicant Pranay Mahajan.

“Our focus is on vocation, and that’s why we have employed a placement officer specifically for the purpose,” said Dr Dagar.

“But of late, more students have shown interest in pursuing higher studies.”

As a result of shift in the trend, the College now also offers two part-time post-graduate diploma courses in tourism and book publishing. “These courses are run four times a week during evenings, and even those pursuing other course or working can take them up.”