Chennai, Dec 14 (NationPress) To tackle the increasing distracting digital influences affecting students and to better equip them for life after academics, Anna University is set to initiate a robust training program focused on life and workplace skills for second-year undergraduate students beginning in January.

This initiative prioritizes digital discipline while encompassing a broad range of essential skills needed for success in today's professional landscape.

The program is being led by the university’s Centre for University-Industry Collaboration (CUIC), which is pivotal in placement and industry partnerships.

According to CUIC Director K. Shanmuga Sundaram, this initiative aims to enhance academic learning by providing students with critical life skills and workplace readiness. “Although our students excel academically and possess many professional skills sought by industries, we recognized the necessity to train them in competencies that will support their transition into the workforce and help them thrive in fast-paced environments,” Sundaram stated.

University representatives noted that the training will address issues like excessive social media engagement and gaming, which can detract from students' focus, productivity, and emotional health. Simultaneously, the program aims to foster resilience, communication abilities, professionalism, and goal-oriented thinking.

Fifteen thematic areas have been pinpointed for the training sessions.

As per G. Shibu, the Deputy Director of CUIC, digital discipline will be a focal point of the program.

“These sessions are crafted to assist students in regaining control over their digital habits while also developing vital life skills and workplace competencies that are essential in today’s world,” he mentioned.

Industry experts and accomplished alumni will be invited to mentor participants, ensuring that the training aligns with real-world job expectations.

To accommodate diverse career aspirations, specialized tracks will be available, including essentials for entrepreneurship—covering idea generation, feasibility studies, and business models—as well as preparation for government job exams such as UPSC, SSC, and TNPSC.

Communication skills will receive particular attention, with students undergoing intensive English training that includes sentence structure, idiomatic expressions, and connectors. Additional modules on professional presentation, body language, email etiquette, and mock interviews are designed to enhance confidence during campus recruitment.

The initiative will also introduce “super skills for corporate edge,” concentrating on effective communication, decision-making, teamwork, and elevated professional standards, alongside management games and leadership mindset development.

Support will also be available for resume building, portfolio creation, and LinkedIn profile optimization. This program was previously piloted over five days for students enrolled under the 7.5 percent government school preferential category and received favorable feedback.

Training sessions are set to occur every Saturday on campus, starting with second-year students. The university is also considering corporate social responsibility funding to support this initiative.