ICAR experiential learning programme for undergraduate students -a work based learning methodology

Veterinary profession has a pivotal role in food security and nutrition. Good employers have high expectations from the graduates to meet the demand. Veterinary curriculum should give awareness of entrepreneurship as a key change agent in economic process with maximum emphasis on employability. Indian Council of Agricultural Research introduced Experiential Learning Programme in the under graduate curricula to facilitate professional development by learning through experience. As part of this, Feed Mill Technology (FMT) unit was established at Veterinary College and Research Institute, Namakkal in the year 2009 -10. The impact of the programme was studied. Expost facto research design was adopted, 300 graduates who had undergone experiential learning programme in FMT constituted the sample for the study. Majority (88.67%) of the graduates opined that undergraduate courses had balanced theory and practical syllabus, duration of FMT programme was sufficient (80.67%); theoretical knowledge (55.67%) and practical knowledge (76.67%) gained through FMT programme was adequate, programme was well planned (66.24%), systematic (73.51%), equal opportunity was given (71.80%) and flexible (85.67%). Most (95%) of the graduates recommend FMT programme since it help the students to gain experience in feed formulation and feed mill operation. Three-fourth (77%) of the graduates had utilized the dividend share of FMT programme for educational purpose. Family business, preference to start business and workmanship had significant positive relation with entrepreneurial level. Thus it could be concluded that experiential programme for the under graduate students would help them to prepare and develop the qualities such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving, decision making and competency for meeting need and expectations of the employers/industry.