Delhi Education Minister flags campus to market disconnect, seeks closer industry ties

Delhi Education Minister on Thursday urged universities and colleges to move beyond classroom driven learning and build deeper engagement with industry, warning that the gap between campuses and the job market continues to limit student outcomes.

Speaking at a higher education conclave in the capital, the minister said that academic programmes must respond more closely to changing workplace needs. While colleges produce graduates with degrees, employers continue to report a shortage of job ready skills, pointing to a mismatch that requires urgent correction.

The minister stressed that institutions should expand internships, apprenticeships and live industry projects as part of the core curriculum, rather than treating them as optional add ons. Stronger collaboration with private companies, startups and public sector units would help students understand real world demands and improve employability, the minister said.

Highlighting the role of faculty, the minister noted that teachers must also remain connected with industry practices to keep course content relevant. Regular interaction with professionals and exposure to new tools and work processes were described as essential for academic staff as well.

The government, the minister added, is exploring ways to encourage partnerships between colleges and industry, including joint programmes, skill labs and placement linked training initiatives. Such steps, the minister said, would help ensure that higher education prepares students not only for examinations, but for sustained careers after graduation.