Industry-ready and skill-based education in India has for long remained an unfulfilled aspiration, but in the past few years meaningful efforts at various levels have begun to generate hope that it might finally be becoming a reality.
Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab, a nearly five-years old private self-funded university near Rupnagar, has emerged as one such beacon of light, where various syllabi are designed by the multinational IBM and partially taught by outsourced subject matter experts (SMEs) from industry giants like IBM, L&T Edutech, Ansys & many more.
With industry partnerships integrated into all its programmes, including engineering, management, commerce, hotel management, and other disciplines, the university recently received a further boost with the signing of an MoU with the Board of Apprenticeship Training (BoAT), Northern Region, Kanpur, under the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for the implementation of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP).
Hailed as a gamechanger, the MoU will ensure that students get a dual degree with apprenticeship which is government approved. The students will also earn as part of the apprenticeship, while they learn and grow.
University Vice Chancellor Dr AS Chawla told your own news portal LifeInChandigarh.com that the MoU exchanged between Mr Vivek Kumar, Director, Board of Apprenticeship Training (BoAT), NR, Kanpur, and university Registrar Prof. BS Satyal, during an Industry-Academia-HR Meet at Chandigarh Monday evening (April 20, 2026) primarily covers the implementation of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), including industry tie ups, structured on-the-job training, stipend-based apprenticeships, and alignment of curriculum with industry requirements.
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In real terms, it will help the university by strengthening industry integration, improve student employability, enhance placement outcomes, and position the institution as a provider of industry-ready, skill-based education, he added.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced among others by Mr. Nirmal Singh Rayat, Chancellor, Lamrin Tech Skills University.
Ideally located in the foothills of Shivalik ranges, and on Satluj riverbank near Rupnagar, on land 80 acres and a building of which have been donated by a UK-based NRI, Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab offers 70+ undergraduate and post graduate programmes in streams like engineering, business administration, computer application, commerce, hotel management & catering technology, pharma, lab tech, imaging tech, OT & anaesthesia tech, physiotherapy, Arts, physical education and sports, etc.
Along with these the university also admits students for short term diploma and certificate courses in skill development.
The university is also implementing central government skilling and reskilling projects like Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) 4.0 and PM Vishwakarma Scheme for empowering traditional artisans with modern skills.
PMKVY 4.0 is the flagship skill development initiative by the Government of India, aimed at equipping the youth with industry-relevant training and certifications. Implemented under the guidance of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), the scheme is designed to enhance employability, productivity, and prepare young professionals for emerging job markets.
Under PMKVY 4.0, Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU) is offering fully funded skill training programmes aligned with the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). These programmes are free for eligible trainees and focus on both regular skill training and emerging future skills, particularly in domains aligned with Industry 4.0.
PM Vishwakarma is a Central Sector Scheme launched by the Government of India to empower and uplift traditional artisans and craftspeople across the country. The scheme is designed to provide them with skill upgradation, modern tools, and better market access so they can enhance the quality and value of their services.
Lamrin Tech Skills University (LTSU) conducts skill training in key trades including carpentry, barber trade, tailoring, masonry, doll & toy making, hammer & toolkit operations, etc.
Objectives of PM Vishwakarma Scheme
- To recognize and support artisans and craftspeople as Vishwakarma, making them eligible to avail all the benefits under the Scheme
- To provide formal training and certification to enhance productivity and service quality.
- To facilitate access to modern tools, financial support, and market linkages.
Excerpts from an interview with Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab Vice Chancellor Dr AS Chawla
Q. How many batches have passed out? Roughly how many students?
A. The first batch is to pass out in 2027. However, students enrolled in the 2022-23 session are already undergoing internships.
Q. What is the current strength of the university?
A. 4500 students
Q. Offering so many undergraduate, post-graduate, diploma and certificate courses, also being part of PMKVY 4.0 & PM Vishwakarma Scheme, how difficult has it been to attract enough expert faculty?
A. Attracting qualified faculty continues to be a challenge; however, a well-balanced approach is maintained through a combination of permanent staff and outsourced subject matter experts (SMEs).
Q. What do we mean when we say incubated by IBM as an industry partner?
A. Syllabus is designed by IBM and partially taught by SMEs of IBM.
Q. In which all courses do we have an industry partner?
A. Industry partnerships are integrated across all programmes of the university, including Engineering, Management, Commerce, Hotel Management, and other disciplines
Q. What have been the outcomes so far?
A. The outcomes so far have been very encouraging. Students receive hands-on practical training aligned with industry requirements, making their learning highly relevant. They also gain up to one year of industry experience by the time they complete their degree
Q. What are the biggest challenges, including onboarding the industry?
A. The key challenges include aligning academic programmes with evolving industry needs and onboarding the right partners. However, these have been addressed effectively through strong collaboration. The University has successfully partnered with industries for internships, live projects, industry-led sessions, and apprenticeship programmes, ensuring valuable practical exposure and enhanced employability for students.
For more details about Lamrin Tech Skills University Punjab, visit https://ltsu.ac.in/
