Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has introduced a series of innovative degree programmes and skill-oriented courses from the upcoming academic session. It is introducing two post-HSC diploma courses for the first time. Some other courses aimed at improving employability and industry readiness among students have also been launched. The admission process for these new programmes is expected to begin in the coming days. A key highlight of the initiative is the introduction of Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDP), designed to combine classroom education with practical industrial exposure.

 

The university administration believes the move will help students secure employment opportunities immediately after graduation or encourage entrepreneurship through hands-on training and industry interaction. For the first time in its history, RTMNU is also launching two diploma courses that can be pursued directly after Class 12. Until now, the university largely focused on traditional postgraduate programmes through its teaching departments and affiliated colleges. These two new diploma programmes have been developed by the Department of Mass Communication—Diploma in Film Production and Diploma in Artificial Intelligence and Digital Media. Dr Manali Kshirsagar, Vice-Chancellor, said the courses are aimed at aligning higher education with rapidly evolving media, entertainment, and digital technology sectors where demand for skilled professionals is increasing significantly. Apart from these, RTMNU has introduced several honours programmes in futuristic and high-demand sectors.

 

They include B.Sc. (Hons.) Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, B.Sc. (Hons.) Financial and Actuarial Mathematics, B.Sc. (Hons.) Cyber Security, B.Sc. (Hons.) Semiconductor Materials and Devices, B.Sc. (Hons.) System Applications and Products in Data Processing (SAP), B.Sc. (Hons.) Cyber Science, B.Sc. (Hons.) Drone Science, B.Com. (Corporate Administration), B.A. (Hons.) Economics. The university’s push towards courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Semiconductor Technology, Drone Science, and Data Science reflects the changing priorities of higher education institutions amid growing demand for technology-driven skills. Officials said the programmes have been designed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP), which emphasises multidisciplinary education, vocational integration, internships, and industry collaboration. The move is also being seen as RTMNU’s attempt to shed its image as a conventional university dependent largely on traditional arts, commerce, and science streams. Over the years, students and academicians have often criticised universities for failing to adapt to changing employment trends and industry requirements.