72
/
5
Min Read
Delhi University (DU) has taken a significant step towards promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and employability skills among students. The University's Delhi School of Skill Enhancement and Entrepreneurship Development (DSSEED) has proposed the introduction of four new Entrepreneurship Skill Enhancement Courses (SECs) for students.
The objective of these courses is not just to provide theoretical knowledge but also to equip students with practical skills required to build startups, develop businesses and meet the evolving demands of the industry.
The proposal will be placed before the Academic Council for approval. Once approved, it will be forwarded to the Executive Council for final clearance. After receiving the necessary approvals, these courses will become part of Delhi University's Skill Enhancement Course (SEC) pool.
Four New Entrepreneurship Skill Courses to Be Introduced
The four new courses proposed by DSSEED are:
1. Entrepreneurial Mindset and Opportunity Discovery
2. Design Thinking and Venture Development
3. Venture Business Design and Go-to-Market Strategy
4. Entrepreneurial Communication and Investor Pitching
These courses are designed to help students develop startup ideas, build business models, launch products or services, effectively pitch to investors and acquire the practical skills needed to become successful entrepreneurs.
Boosting Employability and Startup Culture
DSSEED aims to enhance students' employability, bridge existing skill gaps in the industry and strengthen the culture of entrepreneurship and innovation across the university. To achieve this, the institution will collaborate with industries for curriculum development, provide internship opportunities, promote research and innovation and offer students hands-on exposure to real-world business challenges.
In collaboration with various colleges of Delhi University, credit-based courses will also be introduced to help students develop business skills, entrepreneurial thinking, strategic planning, and operational management. The university believes this initiative will strengthen the campus startup ecosystem while contributing to India's socio-economic development.
Students Will Learn the Complete Startup Journey
According to Prof. Payal Mago, Chairperson of the DU Skill Enhancement Course Committee, the curriculum has been carefully designed to help students learn the entire entrepreneurial journey from identifying business opportunities and developing innovative solutions to creating business models, entering the market and presenting ideas effectively before investors. She added that the primary objective of these courses is to prepare students to become job creators rather than job seekers, encouraging them to build enterprises that generate employment opportunities.
North and South Campuses to Focus on Different Academic Domains
DSSEED will operate through two campuses. Its Major Campus will be located in North Campus, while the Minor Campus will function from South Campus. Both campuses will share academic resources and expertise. North Campus will focus on programs related to Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Commerce, Economics, Finance and Management.
South Campus will specialize in Biological Sciences and Bioinformatics-related programs.
Beyond Skill Training: Focus on Startups and Intellectual Property Rights
DSSEED's role will extend beyond skill development. It will also facilitate startup incubation, entrepreneurship development, innovation, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) protection, technology transfer and licensing activities across Delhi University.
The institution will assist students and researchers in commercializing their innovations, launching startups and securing patents and intellectual property rights for their inventions.
Hands-on Learning Alongside Classroom Education
According to the university, the Skill Enhancement Courses are being designed to go beyond conventional classroom education by equipping students with industry-relevant practical skills.
The courses will combine theoretical learning with hands-on practical training. Each course will carry one to two academic credits and can be completed within one to two weeks. Evening and weekend classes may also be introduced to accommodate working professionals. The university also plans to formally accredit these courses.
Industry Partnerships to Strengthen Skill Development
To deliver high-quality skill development programmes, DSSEED will collaborate with organizations such as the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), BIRAC, and several other government and private institutions.
These partnerships will provide students with industry-oriented training, exposure to emerging technologies, research opportunities and improved career prospects, ensuring they graduate with skills that align with industry requirements. Additionally, the School of Open Learning (SOL), University of Delhi, will introduce Certificate Courses in Arabic and Persian under its foreign language programmes. Students will be able to pursue these courses in both online and offline modes.
The university believes that these language courses will serve as valuable additional skills, particularly for students aspiring to build careers in MBA Healthcare, Medical Tourism, International Business and global employment opportunities. These proposals are also expected to be placed before the Academic Council for approval.
Promoting Skill-Based Education in Line with NEP 2020
Education experts believe that the new courses being introduced through DSSEED are aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Their objective is to prepare students not only with academic qualifications but also with the skills required for employment, entrepreneurship, innovation and self-reliance.
The initiative is expected to strengthen the startup ecosystem at Delhi University and equip students with future-ready skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
