MSBTE & Mumbai University ink MoU for German and Japanese language training
– Ronita Torcato
The Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education (MSBTE) and Mumbai University have signed an MoU for German and Japanese language training with the aim of boosting employment opportunities abroad of engineering students.
Mumbai University registrar Dr. Prasad Karande and Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education director Dr. Pramod Naik signed the MoU in the presence of higher and technical education minister Chandrakantdada Patil, secretary Dr. Maruti Jadhav, additional chief secretary, B. Venugopal Reddy and director of the technical education department Dr. Vinod Mohitkar.
Minister Patil said that as per this agreement, students affiliated to MSBTE as well as autonomous institutions will be provided training in German and Japanese through the University of Mumbai.
The training will be imparted both in person and online and the process of conducting examinations and awarding credits for the respective languages will be implemented through the university.
The credits obtained after completing the training will be recorded in the students’ mark sheets.
The minister said diploma students who successfully complete the training will be provided with guidance and assistance to obtain international certificates.
This agreement will not only boost the skill development of diploma students but will also help them in getting employment opportunities abroad, he said.
Germany and Japan are recruiting Indian engineers to address labour shortages in IT, robotics, automotive, and manufacturing sectors. Germany is aiming for 90,000 skilled visas annually, while Japan plans to recruit 500,000 workers over five years. Needless to add, these jobs require German and Japanese language proficiency.
University of Mumbai is the oldest centre for German studies in India. The syllabus of BA in German was passed by the university in 1913 after which the teaching of German language began in Mumbai.
The German government on its part has been operating Max Mueller Bhavan, the German cultural centre in India, as part of the worldwide Goethe-Institut network since the 1950’s. It promotes German language education and is the best-known centre for German courses and internationally recognised examinations.
The Diploma in Japanese Language at Mumbai University is a one-year, part time diploma programme offered online.
Somaiya Vidyavihar University also offers certificate courses in Japanese language through the K J Somaiya School of Languages and Literature and SK Somaiya College. These are part-time, on-campus courses.
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