Centurion University’s Skills-based Education Model Finds Echo In NEP

Bhubaneswar: A new education policy was announced after 34 years when the Union government unveiled the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on July 29.

However, the Centurion University of Technology and Management (CUTM) in Odisha proved to be ahead of its times as several features of NEP 2020 were already included within CUTM.

A university source said that aspects like integrating conventional and vocational education, constituent campuses in remote areas, skill-integrated education, multiple pathways, entry-exit options etc were incorporated within CUTM at the time of its inception itself, in 2010.

Among its latest intiative is the international tie-up with Skyline University in Nigeria. Meant for faculty development, student internships, skill programmes and research, it will facilitate students to spend up to a year in their campus as part of their course and also gain skill certification.

CUTM also signed a MoU with UP Education, New Zealand, for a pathway program.

Despite the challenges posed by the prolonged lockdown necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, CUTM last month became one of the first universities in the country to complete end-semester exams online on time and also started the new semester on July 13.

CUTM is a private university established by Centurion University of Technology and Management Act, Odisha, 2010 with a strong presence in Odisha through it’s constituent campuses (Parlakhemundi, Jatni, Rayagada and Balangir) as notified by Government of Odisha as well as a Campus in Andhra Pradesh notified by Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Centurion’s School of Vocational Education & Training was recently recognized as a Centre of Excellence by Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Government of India. It’s the only Skill University to be conferred this prestigious status till now.

CUTM’s unique skill-integrated higher education model had been widely acknowledged by global organizations like the UN, UNESCO, World Bank and British Council, as well as State/Union Governments and organizations such as the NITI Ayog and NSDC.

Centurion is also recognized as an Institute of Training of Trainers by the MOSDE,Government of India and a State Resource Organization by the PR and DW Department, Government of Odisha.

A Grade ‘A’ NAAC-accredited institution, Centurion is ranked among the top 20% universities in India as per the recently-published NIRF 2020 rankings. It has also been granted the 12 (B) status by the UGC.

For a decade now, it has strived to remain committed to its motto – ‘Shaping Lives… Empowering Communities’.