One of the objectives of SRM University-AP is to be globally connected, nationally relevant and regionally transformative. The vision and mission statements of the university emphasise knowledge creation, academic rigour, learning experience, interdisciplinarity, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship, stimulating environment and serving society.

Therefore, the curriculum has been thoughtfully crafted with explicit learning objectives and outcomes aligned with the learner’s aspirations, the university’s vision and mission, and the broader societal requirements. The curricula of all academic programmes are based on outcome-based education (OBE), which integrates knowledge, skills, training, and certification. The university follows a systematic curriculum design and development process as per the governing policies. Inputs from all stakeholders are taken in a structured manner. The curriculum is then discussed by the Board of Studies and approved by the Academic Council, which has representations of experts from industry and students.

Outcome-Based Education (OBE) resides at the core of the curriculum design with a clear focus on learning outcomes. Accordingly, Programme Educational Objectives (PEO) and Programme Outcomes (PO) for each programme have been defined. Each course under a programme has Course Objectives and Course Outcomes (CO). A complete mapping of POs and COs with assessments is maintained and correlated to obtain learning attainment at the course and programme levels. Recently, the curricula of all the programmes have been revamped as per the National Credit Framework (2023) and are NEP-ready. The value-added courses, ability enhancement courses, skill enhancement courses, foundation courses, courses under minor programmes, internships, and projects constitute 50% of the total credits required for a degree programme.

The curriculum is flexible, adaptable, responsive to changing needs, and embeds disciplined knowledge, 21st-century skills, and their applications. Students can choose from a basket of courses under various career options, as well as the option for major specialisation, cross-disciplinary minor specialisations, and a variety of open electives from across disciplines. This is further accentuated by the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) under the OBE framework adopted by the university, enabling students to be awarded credits for their chosen courses. The curriculum encompasses courses that are directly and indirectly relevant to local, national, and global needs. These include Community Engagement and Social Responsibility, Environmental Sciences, and many others offered by faculty as open electives.

Besides, each student may undergo immersion programmes (corporate or international) through short-term and full-semester internships and study abroad programmes. All these programmes enhance their ability to seek solutions for regional, national and global challenges. Students also participate in ideathons/hackathons to work on national and global challenges, which are also integral to the curricula.

To promote online learning, students are encouraged to register and enrol on MOOC courses offered by universities worldwide. A few of the MOOCs are run in a blended mode. The credits are awarded to students upon completion of MOOCs.

The academic programmes focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and skill development in consonance with the vision of the National Education Policy on a more practical and skill-oriented education system. The programmes aim to equip students with the necessary competencies to succeed in their careers and contribute to India’s socio-economic growth.

Employability

The curricula offer courses bridging the gap between academia and industry, ensuring students gain practical knowledge and experience. These courses help students develop professional skills such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability to make them industry-ready and employable.

 Some of the offered courses are:

• Skills for the 21st Century(OEC 101)
• Industry Standard Employability Skills (ISES 101, ISES 102, ISES 201, ISES 212, ISES 311, ISES 312)
• Industry Standard Coding Practice (CSC 220, CSC 230, CSC 330)
• Behavioural Skills for Customer Management (MBA 003)
• Foreign languages (German-OEC 109, Mandarin-MAN 001, French Language for Managers-MBA 209, Japanese Language- OEC 110)

By integrating employability-focused courses, credit-based internships and minor and major projects, the university aims to empower students to enter the job market with confidence and readiness. Additionally, depending on the nature of the courses, the content may include case studies, live industry and real-world problems, administered through group discussion, hands-on, activity and project-based learning, enhancing their employability prospects.

By engaging with industry experts through guest lectures, workshops, and mentorship programmes, students develop a deeper understanding of the professional landscape and build valuable networks.  As per the curricula, corporate and industry engagement is expected through:

• Summer and fall semester industrial internships of more than 16 credits.
• Live and real-time problems from industry and community as part of more than 30% of courses.
• Minor and Major Projects having up to 10 credits.
• More than 20 Visiting professorships and Professors of Practice.
• Regular, expert and distinguished lecture series.

Exclusive training and workshops on employability skills are also conducted regularly, as listed below:-

• 60+ Webinars and workshops
• 200 Hours of placement training for students
• Technical skills training
• Company-specific training

Entrepreneurship

The mission statements of SRM University-AP have creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship as the key components indicating the university’s focus in this domain.  Entrepreneurship drives innovation, economic growth, and job creation; hence, it is integral to the curricula.

There are 4 courses on entrepreneurial learning and minor programmes. The pre-incubation and incubation programmes are also available to students aspiring to become entrepreneurs.

Skill Development

The university has integrated skill development courses into its curricula to address the evolving requirements of the job market. These courses focus on emerging technologies, like digital literacy, data analysis, artificial intelligence, IoT, blockchain, etc., that are crucial to future careers. The university ensures students are well-prepared to excel in industries driven by technology and innovation by equipping them with in-demand and lifelong learning skills.

Through a strong emphasis on employability, entrepreneurship education, and industry-academia collaboration, the university empowers students to become job-ready, innovative, and socially responsible professionals who can contribute significantly to the nation’s progress.