B. Voc. Program
About US
UGC sponsored Bachelor of Vocation (B. Voc.) Degree Programmme started in the Assam University, Silchar in December, 2015 in (i) Food Processing, and (ii) Farm Machinery and Power Technology disciplines.
Objectives
The objectives of the B. Voc. programme since inception are,
(i) To provide judicious mix of skills relating to a profession in Food Processing and Farm Machinery and Power Technology, and appropriate content of general education,
(ii) To ensure that the students have adequate knowledge and skills, so that they are work ready at each skill level of the programme
(iii) To integrate National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) within the undergraduate level of higher education in order to enhance employability of the graduates and meet industry requirements.
Such graduates apart from meeting the needs of local and national industry are also expected to be equipped to become part of the global workforce.
What is B. Voc. programme ?
B. Voc. Programme is a skill development based full time 3 year (6 semesters) degree course with work-ready skill levels under National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF) such as,
(i) Certificate (at the end of 1st semester, NSQF level 4)
(ii) Diploma (at the end of 2nd semester, NSQF level 5)
(iii) Advanced Diploma (at the end of 4th semester, NSQF level 6)
(iv) B. Voc. Degree (at the end of 6th semester, NSQF level 7)
The graduates completing B. Voc. are expected to make a meaningful participation in accelerating our national economy by gaining appropriate employment, becoming entrepreneurs and creating appropriate knowledge.
The B. Voc degree programme is a full time degree course. It is not conducted as an add-on programme in Assam University.
The UGC vide D.O. No. F. 2-7/2014 (CC/NVEQF)/Misc., dated 3rd August, 2016 has recognized B.Voc. Degree at par with the other Bachelor level degrees for competitive exams conducted by Union/State Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission or other such bodies where the eligibility criteria is “Bachelor Degree in any discipline”.
Further, students with B.Voc. Degree are eligible for the transdisciplinary vertical mobility into such courses where entry qualification is a Bachelor Degree without specific requirement in a particular discipline.
Curriculum
The curriculum of the B. Voc. Programme has been developed in line with the model curriculum recommended by the Sector Skill Councils for various Qualifications Packs, with a judicious mix of hands on practice, theoretical aspects, field and industry visits, National Occupational Standards, personality development, training and internships.
At present,
Baking Technician, Food Products Packaging Technician and Food Microbiologist job roles are offered at NSQF level 4, 5 and 6, respectively under B. Voc. (Food Processing).
Tractor Operator, Farm Workshop Foreman / Supervisor and Farm Workshop / Service Manager job roles are offered at NSQF level 4, 5 and 6, respectively under B. Voc. (Farm Machinery and Power Technology).
The job roles offered are likely to change depending upon the demand in the job market and skill gap analysis reports published by NSDC.
Laboratory Facilities
For the effective demonstration and dissemination of technical skills, Food Processing Laboratory, and Farm Machinery and Power Technology Workshop have been established under the B. Voc. programme.
Food Processing Laboratory has dough mixer, mixer grinder juicer, baking oven, micro wave oven, hot air ovens, water bath, double distillation unit, rotary vacuum evaporator, refrigerator, paddle operated pouch sealing machine, canning machine, spectrophotometer, Soxhlet apparatus, Micro-Kjeldal apparatus, Garbour centrifuge, dehumidifier, autoclave, laminar air flow, BOD shaker incubator, and various instruments and hand tools for the food processing, production and analysis.
Farm Machinery and Power Technology Workshop has the working single cylinder diesel engine and multi-cylinder tractor engine, multiple battery charger, air compressor, cut section of working models of tractor; single cylinder 4-stroke diesel engine and sliding mesh gear box, 25 kW tractor, 9-tyne cultivator, power tiller and vertical conveyor reaper windrower. The workshop also has a sliding surface & screw cutting lathe, bench grinder, pillar drilling machine, circular hack saw, bench shear, arc welding machine, various instruments and hand tools for fabrication, servicing, maintenance and minor repair.
A small Computer Laboratory meets the requirement of computer aided design and drafting, converting ideas into products, and basic computer application in the area of professional business and entrepreneurship.
Courses Offered
i] B. Voc. (Food Processing)
ii] B. Voc. (Farm Machinery and Power Technology)
Duration : 3 years Six Semesters. Intake capacity : 50 in each discipline
Faculty Members
| Name & Qualification | Designation | Area of Specialization | Contact & Email ID |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Chetan Baliram Khobragade Ph.D. | Nodal Officer | Renewable Energy Engineering |
khobragadechetan@gmail.com 9957200379 (M) |
The experienced faculty members from the academic Departments, experts from industries, visiting faculty, guest faculty, adjunct faculty from various academic institutions and training centres are involved in teaching, practice and training.Total admission fee: Rs. 19,330/- per year (excluding examination fee)Training and Placement
The students have obtained hands on skills training on baking and food product packaging at the Indian Institute of Food Processing Technology, Guwahati and a commercial bakery at Mysore, Karnataka, Microbiological analysis of food products at CEPCI Laboratory & Research Institute, Kollam, Kerala, general mechanical workshop practices at Government Toolroom and Training Centre, Guwahati and Loknath Engineering works, Silchar, general automobile servicing repair and maintenance at Prova Ford, Silchar, Tractor and farm machinery operation, servicing and maintenance at Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Biswanath Chariali. Attempts are on to arrange the internship of students at the renowned commercial food processing centres, automobile servicing centres and tea estates.The major objective of the B. Voc. programme is to build individual capacities and develop work ready and skilled manpower, employment as technical personnel in commercial food processing centres, food industries, mechanical servicing centres, automobile repair workshops and tea estates has been targeted for the 1st batch students. The students have been given industry exposure as interns in the final semester of the programme that has the potential for the entrepreneurship and self-employment opportunities.Nodal Officer : Dr. Chetan Baliram Khobragade 9957200379 (M)