Odisha launches Apprenticeship-Embedded Degree programs (AEDPs) for 2025–26 session

In a move to boost job readiness among students, the Higher Education Department of the Odisha government has announced that Industry-linked programmes for the 2025-2026 academic session are now available in select universities and colleges across the state.

As per an official notification, students seeking undergraduate admissions in Odisha will have the option to pursue Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Programmes (AEDPs) across 22 colleges and 2 universities from the upcoming 2025–26 academic session.

Notably, these industry-integrated programmes are designed to combine formal classroom education with structured on-job training through apprenticeships, with the aim of enhancing employability and practical skills.

Six Specialised Courses: 

A total of six AEDP courses will be offered this year under the scheme. These include:

• B.Com in Logistics Management and Commerce

• B.Com in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance and Commerce

• B.Com in Retail Operations Management and Commerce

• B.Com in HR Operations and Commerce

• B.Com in E-commerce Operations and Commerce

• BSc/BA in Food Science and Hospitality Operation and Home Science

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Courses now listed on SAMS portal for student access

For this session, the courses will be implemented at Rama Devi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, and Ravenshaw University, Cuttack, along with prominent autonomous colleges like MPC Autonomous College, Baripada, and SKCG Autonomous College, Paralakhemundi.

The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the Board of Practical Training (BOPT) and will assign academic credits for the apprenticeship component as part of the formal curriculum.

Information about the AEDP offerings has been published on the Student Academic Management System (SAMS) portal under the ‘degree’ section.

UGC’s draft guidelines set the national framework

The rollout aligns with the University Grants Commission (UGC)'s national framework, which has enabled the formal introduction of AEDPs across recognised higher education institutions.

These guidelines specify the integration of apprenticeships into undergraduate degrees and allow institutions to allocate up to 50% of the programme duration for on-job training.

Credits for apprenticeships are calculated based on the National Credit Framework, with 30 hours of training equating to one credit. The minimum one-semester apprenticeship is part of the structure, and evaluation includes inputs from faculty and industry.

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Meanwhile, UG classes for the new academic session will commence on July 10 in Odisha, with AEDPs being offered in the above-stated select institutions.