In a pioneering move for Indian higher education, Patna's Rajendra Prasad Central Agricultural University (RPCAU) has declared that it will train every single student enrolled at the university to become a certified drone pilot. The training will be offered at a highly subsidized, nominal fee, the university's vice-chancellor announced.
A First-of-its-Kind Initiative in India
Making the landmark announcement, Vice-Chancellor P S Pandey stated that RPCAU will be the first university in the country to impart drone pilot training to all its students. He revealed this during the inauguration of a three-day workshop titled “Mastering soft skills and interview skills for career readiness” held at the university on Monday.
Beyond drone certification, the university has an even more ambitious tech roadmap. Pandey announced that very soon, RPCAU will also organize specialized workshops to train both its students and faculty members in artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative is designed to ensure that RPCAU scholars do not lag behind their peers in the world's most technologically advanced universities.
Holistic Career Readiness Focus
The vice-chancellor strongly emphasized the critical role of soft skills in securing placements with top-tier national and international companies, as well as for careers abroad. To address this, the university will now offer structured training programs in these essential areas during semester breaks.
This internal training initiative is a significant boon for students. It will save them from spending lakhs of rupees on external coaching institutes, especially when they receive job postings overseas, as the university will equip them with the necessary skills beforehand.
University Leadership Highlights Progress
Echoing the forward-looking vision, Ram Dutt, director of the School of Agri-Business and Rural Management, highlighted the institution's all-round progress in academics and the development of a dynamic new work culture. He commended the students for already making a mark in premier companies and organizations across the globe.
Dutt explained that the core aim of the ongoing workshop, and initiatives like it, is to empower students with the precise skills and knowledge required to excel in their professional journeys and create a meaningful impact in their fields. The event saw participation from a large gathering of the university's faculty members, scientists, and officials.
This comprehensive strategy—combining cutting-edge technical training in drones and AI with essential soft skills development—positions RPCAU as a unique agricultural university focused on creating highly skilled, industry-ready graduates for the modern global economy.
