Officials say a desire to pursue traditional courses apart, students are largely curious about the add-on courses being introduced by the colleges.

Various colleges in the city have already started different add-on courses to meet the increasing global competition, technical advances, complex business processes and to cater to the demand of the market as well as students.Keeping in view the importance of add-on courses in increasing the job prospects of students, Khalsa Collge for Women is starting an add-on course in Bank Management, Travel and Tourism and Fine Arts.

Going by the demand of the students, the Government College for Women is in the process of introducing an add-on course in Journalism from the next session. DD Jain College will also introduce an add-on course in Information Technology (IT) from this session.

On the other hand, SCD Government College will start a programme in BCA and PGDCA from the coming session.

Talking about the significance of the add-on courses, Pooja Chaitly, training and placement co-ordinator, Khalsa College for Women, said: “There is a huge demand for add-on courses. Not only are these courses based on market demand, they also increase the job absorption rate significantly.”

Dr Madanjit Kaur Sahota, Principal, Master Tara Singh Memorial College for Women, said: "Students are now more aware of job avenues available and therefore we should also focus on courses that can meet the demand of the growing number of jobs that the big corporate houses and business sectors have to offer.”

Sahota, who strongly believes in flexibility in the education system, said students should be allowed to pursue higher studies along with add-courses.

"I am not much aware about the variety of the add-on courses and therefore am curious to know what all options are available while simultaneously pursuing my graduation,” said a student seeking admission in BA.