Pondicherry University Community College- first of its kind in the Indian University system endeavours to create skilled manpower at supervisory levels and to supply quality personnel to business organizations, industries and Government to cope up with the market demands. Dr. A.S. Desai, the then Chairperson of University Grants Commission, formally inaugurated the Pondicherry University Community College on 16th October, 1995, the day of Decennial Celebrations of Pondicherry University. The PUCC acts under the general, academic and administrative supervision of Pondicherry University.

The PUCC attempts to create a model of employment oriented education with adequate mutual collaboration and cooperation of members from various commercial, agricultural, government and academic institutions and organisations. This model is similar to the one seen in USA and Canada. The educational activities are designed in response to the needs of the local community. In short, Community College is “for” the Community and “of” the Community. The College performs four major functions namely, teaching, training, research and extension.

Teaching

The College offers a number of courses, which aim to impart knowledge and skills through suitable curriculum to train the School and College leavers in different areas, in consonance with the choice of the students and the availability of jobs in the market. The curriculum and syllabi of the courses offered in the Community College are approved and recognized by Pondicherry (Central) University.There is a greater amount of professional focus to the courses offered in Community College and therefore the College enhances the employability of the candidates. Theory and practical trainings are very well integrated in all the courses which provide career orientation to education and hands-on experience. The College attempts to establish a direct link between education and employment, to bridge the gap between industry demand and institutional supply.

Training

The primary function of the Community College is to conduct a wide range of training programmes to supply suitable manpower to the society, and has therefore provided training facilities wherever possible. Today the Community College has emerged as a strong centre of training and coaching programmes sponsored by the Government of Puducherry.

Programmes Conducted

• Intensive coaching for IAS, IPS and other Services of UPSC Examinations sponsored by Puducherry Backward Classes and Minority Development Corporation Ltd. and PADCO, Puducherry.
• Training programme in office automation and administrative functions to the Group “C” staff of Pondicherry University.
• Entrepreneurial Development Training Programme under Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana Scheme (PMRY) sponsored by District Industries Centre, Government of Puducherry.
• Free Coaching Classes for Joint Entrance Test [JET] for the Backward Classes, Minority and Scheduled Caste/Tribe students of Puducherry and Karaikal regions for Medical and Engineering and other Professional courses sponsored by Directorate of Social Welfare and Adidravidar Welfare, Government of Puducherry.
• Spoken English classes, Training programme for office assistants in Computer Literacy with Typewriting and Shorthand etc. sponsored by Puducherry Adidravidar Development Corporation (PADCO), Puducherry.
• Spoken English and remedial coaching classes for Backward Classes, Minorities and SC/ST students sponsored by Centre for Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and UGC, New Delhi.

Special Programmes

Computer Literacy for Senior Citizens: Keeping up with the mission of Community College to reach all the sections of the society, PUCC started a Certificate course in Computer Literacy for Senior Citizens (CCLSC) whereby the senior citizens are given training in computer applications. The course has been designed to suit their needs. This course has got good response from the society.
Yoga for Senior Citizens: A certificate course in Yoga was conducted for the Senior Citizens, Puducherry, with a view to help them to keep themselves healthy in old age. This course has been designed taking into consideration the health status of the elderly people. The response from the elderly people was very good.
Research and Extension: The College also undertakes research and consultancy activities, sponsored by the Government Departments and Corporation bodies. So far the Community College has conducted an evaluation study on Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) scheme and the functioning of Kadhi and Village Industries Board (KVIB) and “Rapid Survey on Scavangers in Puducherry” sponsored by PADCO.