Campus Times | Lucknow 

In a major student-focused initiative, Lucknow University has announced the launch of a Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com) Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree Program from the upcoming academic session beginning in July.

The university will offer admissions in three specialized B.Com courses: Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI), Retail Management, and E-Commerce. Each course will have an intake of 75 seats, taking the total number of seats to 225.

Industry Exposure Built into Curriculum

Structured as a four-year undergraduate program comprising eight semesters, the courses are designed to integrate classroom education with hands-on industry exposure. The fee for each semester has been fixed at ₹27,880.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. JP Saini stated that the initiative aligns with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aiming to make higher education more practical and industry-relevant. He noted that embedding structured apprenticeships into degree programs will strengthen academic learning while ensuring students are job-ready from the outset.

According to Prof. Anoop Kumar Bhartiya, the program’s nodal officer, students will undertake a one-year apprenticeship starting in the sixth semester. During this period, they will receive stipend-based training under the Apprenticeship Act, allowing them to gain real-world experience along with financial support.

Credit-Based Apprenticeship with Industry Tie-Ups

Each apprenticeship will be governed by a mandatory tripartite agreement between the university, industry partners, and the student. The apprenticeship training will also be included as a credit-based component within the degree, ensuring it holds equal academic value to traditional undergraduate coursework.

Admission criteria for these programs will remain the same as regular undergraduate courses. However, students will be informed about the mandatory apprenticeship requirement at the time of admission.

With this move, Lucknow University aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry demands, offering students a more engaging and career-oriented learning experience.