Beyond brilliance
By adopting a holistic approach and prioritising self-care and mental health, universities can empower students to thrive academically and personally
ndia’s aviation sector is soaring to new heights and passenger capacity is expected to increase from 192 million to 420 million in the next four years at the six major Indian airports. The eet strength of Indian airlines is also expected to grow from 700 to 2,000 aircrafts within the same time frame.
IWhat it involves
This has led to a pressing need for procient individuals to orchestrate the seamless and safe operations of ground handling services at airports across the country. Ground handling encompasses a spectrum of services vital for the swift transition of an aircraft from landing to take-o . These encompass aircraft marshalling, baggage handling, fuelling, catering, aircraft cleaning, passenger services and aircraft maintenance, all of which collectively ensures the safe, punctual, and ecient operations of airlines and airports.
This, in turn, directly inuences the overall passenger experience and bolsters an airline’s reputation. Consequently, the demand for skilled ground handling professionals is burgeoning.
Opportunities
Key roles within this domain include:
Ramp Agent:
Responsible for handling passenger baggage and cargo, handling Ground Support Equipment as well as other related activities when the aircraft is on ground.
Baggage Handler:
Ensures the proper loading, unloading and transportation of passengers’ luggage to designated areas.
Customer Agent: Service
Facilitates smooth check-ins, assists passengers with inquiries, aids persons with reduced mobility and handles other related activities to ensure a
Plans, coordinates and produces all loading, weight and balance documents as per company and client airline specications.
Despite automation, the industry demands highly trained individuals to oversee seamless operations. Specialised training is necessary for tasks such as operating ground service equipment and loading cargo to maintain safety and eciency. This requires the development of industry-specic skills, including interaction with AI and ML technologies, and the honing of soft skills for passenger interactions. To bridge the skills gap, a new talent pathway is essential, with specialised training academies o ering accelerated programmes to prepare individuals for diverse roles within the aviation industry.
Courses
Currently, many training academies o er a Certicate in Ground Handling and Airport Operations, spanning 30 days or more. Prospective students are required to meet specic eligibility criteria such as Class 12 pass certicate for Ramp Agent and a degree for Customer Service Executive (CSE). Upon successful completion, students receive placement assistance.
Ground handling is pivotal for the aviation industry and o ers a diverse spectrum of career opportunities for those seeking a dynamic and fast-paced work environment.
A career in ground handling also opens up avenues within the hospitality and services sector owing to a close proximity between them. With India’s aviation sector on a growth trajectory, the demand for adept ground handling professionals is poised to escalate. n today’s rapidly evolving world, the demand for technical expertise is undeniable. Industries are constantly looking for individuals procient in STEM elds to build an ecosystem around innovative ideation and practices. While the traditional academic curriculum focusses solely on technical expertise, knowledge acquisition and innovation, there is a growing recognition among educators worldwide that academic success alone is not enough to prepare students for the complexities of the modern world. This has led to increasing concern about the well-being and emotional health of students in higher education.
Reports of stress, anxiety, depression, and burnout among college stutelligence
Idents have become increasingly common, raising questions about the underlying factors contributing to these mental health challenges. The pressure to excel academically, coupled with the demands of social and extracurricular activities, can take a toll on mental health.
A holistic educational approach that nurtures mind, body, and spirit and empowers students to succeed not only in academics but also in their personal and professional lives is essential. Emotional inposed
Pune; DBS Dehra Dun; University of Mysore; Institute of Agribusiness Management, Bikaner; Amity University, and Parul University. The Institute of Rural Management and Anand and National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, o er PG programmes in Rural Development but focus on Agriculture Business Management.
Many universities in India and South Asia o er diploma and certicate programmes in customised areas such as plant nurseries, dairy processing, poultry processing, post-harvest technologies in crop production, sh processing, (EI) encompasses a range of skills such as self-regulation, self-awareness, empathy, communication, and resilience.
A simple literature review would show several study models and frameworks to understand and assess EI. Two of the most well-known are the FourBranch Model proposed by Peter Salovey and John Mayer (with four key components of Perceiving, Using, Understanding, and Managing Emotions) and the Mixed Model profeed milling, dairy cattle production, entrepreneurship management, supply chain management, commercial farming, food processing, and retail management. The National Skill Development Corporation also o ers various skill development courses. Various agriculture universities and IIMs o er doctoral programmes in di erent emerging areas in Agribusiness.
For those looking to study abroad, options are available in the European Union, Australia, the U.K. and Southeast Asian countries. The University of Wageningen and the HAS University by Daniel Goleman (with ve key components of Self-Awareness, SelfRegulation, Motivation, Empathy, and Social Skills).
Apart from providing frameworks to understand EI, they delve into how these components contribute to overall emotional and social functioning. Academicians with social welfare units can use these models to develop assessments, specic interventions, and training programmes to enhance EI in the education landscape.
in Netherlands; the University of Western Australia and the University of Newcastle in Australia o er stakeholder-based courses.
Opportunities
On completion, students can become entrepreneurs, establish start-ups or work in agri-food based MSMEs. Thos Those who complete PG programmes can either go in for research or work as faculty in academia or research institutions. can pursue for research and work as faculty members in academia or research institutions. Other options include establishing
Action points
One intervention mechanism would be to identify, support and foster comprehensive student support services that provide access to peer support and counselling, mental health resources, and wellness programmes.
Another step that can bring about a signicant change is incorporating EI training into curricula. Courses on topics such as leadership, teamwork, and conict resolution help students develop essential interpersonal skills. Through experiential learning opportunities, such as group projects and internships, students learn to navigate complex social dynamics and communicate e ectively with others. By instilling values of integrity and compassion, universities equip students to become responsible citizens and ethical leaders in their elds.
Student Support Centres that o er group therapy, workshops, and outreach programmes will help raise awareness about mental health issues and promote emotional well-being. Universities should focus on integrating mindfulness and wellness practices into campus life to help students manage academic pressures start-ups or working in agri-food based Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Agribusiness Management professionals can also work in banks and companies such as fertilizer rms, cattle feed manufacturers, dairy processing centres, poultry processing units, seed companies, NGOs, agri-insurance companies, technology providers, retail rms, co-operatives such as Amul, IFFCO, milk unions, among others.
Other opportunities include roles in the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), the business incubation centres of Indian Council for Agricultural Research, start-ups, food retail companies, cargo and export management companies among others.
It has been forecast that, by 2025, of the total retail market, 70% will be food related. In order to explore the increasing need for ready-to-eat and ready-tocook food products, country requires skilled Agribusiness Management professionals to address the emerging opportunities and challenges. and cultivate resilience.
Beyond academic coursework, extracurricular activities play a vital role. Participation in clubs, sports teams, and community service initiatives provides students with opportunities to collaborate, lead, and develop empathy. These experiences foster a sense of belonging and connectedness and enhance feeling of well-being.
Promotion of cultural diversity and inclusivity is another aspect to make students from diverse backgrounds feel valued and respected, cultivate empathy and global awareness. This enriches students’ learning experiences and prepares them to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
Ultimately, universities play a crucial role in shaping not only students’ academic knowledge but also their emotional intelligence and personal growth. A holistic approach that addresses the multifaceted needs of students will prepare them to succeed in a diverse and dynamic world.