PHDCCI advocates for industry-aligned education at IUST session on Tourism Apprenticeship

Awantipora, Aug 6: The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Kashmir, continuing its efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry, participated as special guests in an interactive session on “Tourism Apprenticeship Model for Academia-Industry Collaboration” hosted by the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST).

The session, aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, focused on promoting apprenticeship-led learning models. Speaking on the occasion, PHDCCI Kashmir Chairperson Vicky Shaw emphasised the urgent need for higher education institutions to adopt UGC-mandated, apprenticeship-embedded degree programmes.

“Universities like IUST must align their curricula with the needs of core sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and skill-based industries,” Shaw noted, adding that hands-on experience is critical to improving student employability in Jammu and Kashmir.

The PHDCCI delegation—including Himayu Wani, Madeena Mir, Shahid Khan, and Er. Owais Raja—shared strategic insights and practical recommendations for designing apprenticeship programs that reflect current industry requirements. The team advocated for structured collaboration between academia and industry to prepare a job-ready workforce.

Shaw further remarked, “The future of education lies in experiential learning. PHDCCI is committed to working with academic institutions to create structured, industry-relevant apprenticeship models that meet evolving market demands and produce a skilled talent pool for the region.”

PHDCCI reaffirmed its willingness to support universities in implementing these programs, underscoring its role as a facilitator between the education sector and the business community.