Skills matter more than degrees

today, women students are choosing and excelling in all fields of study without any barriers. similarly, the job market no longer discriminates based on gender, with equal opportunities available for both men and women across professions.importance of strong fundamentalswhile innovation and creativity are vital in every domain, mastering the basics remains essential. without a solid understanding of fundamentals, it is impossible to succeed in any field, regardless of its nature.technology changes, basics remainwith the rapid growth of technology, new job opportunities continue to emerge. the rise of artificial intelligence may transform the nature of work, but it cannot replace foundational knowledge. in the it sector, companies increasingly prefer candidates with strong coding skills, making it difficult to secure high-paying jobs without proficiency in coding.preparing for industry through hackathonsmany companies now recruit talent through hackathons. therefore, students must be trained to participate effectively in such competitions. recognizing this, our institution has established centres of excellence across various departments. from the first year itself, students are trained in coding, data structures, and basic artificial intelligence to meet industry expectations.encouraging entrepreneurship and startupsthere is also a strong focus on promoting entrepreneurship and supporting new startups. this approach not only nurtures innovation but also creates more employment opportunities. ultimately, skills hold greater value than degrees in today's competitive world.communication and multi-skill developmenteffective communication skills play a crucial role in securing employment. additionally, having a diverse set of skills is increasingly important. to address this, we emphasize skill-based training for students and have set up specialized centres in collaboration with companies like intel and cisco.role of teachers in skill developmentteachers play a key role in shaping students' abilities. therefore, enhancing the skills of educators is a top priority, as it directly impacts the quality of student development.— indhu murugesan, vice chairperson, kalaignar karunanidhi institute of technology, coimbatore