University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor NK Lokanath highlighted a significant gap in employment readiness among Indian students, noting that despite 30 million individuals pursuing higher education in India, many lack the necessary skills for the job market.
Speaking at the International Youth Day Yuvotsava, themed 'From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,' Lokanath stressed the need for improved skill development. The event, organized by the Grassroots Research and Advocacy Movement (GRAAM) in collaboration with the University of Mysore and Hanns Seidel Foundation India (HSF), took place at Vijnana Bhavan.
Lokanath underscored the transformative role of higher education and emphasized that students should actively engage in societal development activities. He discussed the evolution from intelligence to emotional intelligence and now to artificial intelligence, noting that AI is creating new, dynamic job opportunities.
However, he pointed out a critical issue: the employment index for Indian youth is just 12 percent, significantly lower compared to over 92 percent in countries like the US and Japan. This stark contrast highlights the urgent need for enhanced skill development programs in India.
The event also featured addresses by MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar and GRAAM Executive Director Basavaraj R Shreshta, who echoed the call for improved skill training to better prepare students for the evolving job market.
