Higher Education Minister M.C. Sudhakar to inaugurate AEDP initiative integrating industry apprenticeships with B.Com curriculum
Bengaluru: In a major push to strengthen employability through higher education, Government Degree Colleges across Karnataka have introduced B.Com programmes under the Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP) during the academic year 2024–25.
The initiative enables students who have successfully completed two years in streams such as Finance, Banking, Logistics, Commerce, Insurance and Retail to complete their remaining semesters through stipend-based apprenticeships in industry settings, combining academic learning with hands-on professional training.
The programme is being positioned as a key reform in Karnataka’s higher education ecosystem, aligning classroom education with real-world skills and industry requirements.
Education integrated with skills and employment
According to officials, the AEDP model integrates structured apprenticeship training into the degree framework, ensuring that students gain practical exposure while earning a stipend. The initiative is expected to improve job readiness and create a direct pathway from campus to career.
The move marks a significant milestone in Karnataka’s ongoing higher education reforms and advances the State’s vision of linking education, skills and employment under a unified framework.
Industry interaction to guide students
As part of the programme launch, industry experts and representatives from Sector Skill Councils will interact with students and share insights into emerging career opportunities across various commerce-related sectors.
The engagement aims to familiarise students with industry expectations, skill requirements and evolving employment trends.
Minister to inaugurate programme
The programme will be formally inaugurated by Dr M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Minister for Higher Education, Government of Karnataka.
Members of the press, photographers and videographers have been invited to cover the event.
Event Details:Date: 13 February 2026Time: 10:30 AMVenue: Jnanajyothi Auditorium, Manmohan Singh Bengaluru City University, Bengaluru
On the Other hand, education experts have emphasised that the success of apprenticeship-embedded degrees will depend on sustained industry participation, quality monitoring and effective coordination between academic institutions and employers.
