VELS University Reports UNICEF Skill Programme Completion by More Than 14,000 Students
Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), popularly known as VELS University, has reported that more than 14,000 of its students completed UNICEF’s Passport to Earning (P2E) programme. The milestone highlights the university’s effort to add digital and employment-related learning to students’ academic experience.
P2E is a learning-to-earning initiative led by Generation Unlimited, UNICEF’s youth partnership. UNICEF says the programme provides young people aged 15–24 with free skills training and certificates. Its learning areas include digital, financial, employability and artificial intelligence readiness skills. The university says the completed courses gave students access to job-relevant learning and recognised certificates.
Programme at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| University | Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies (VISTAS), Chennai |
| Programme | UNICEF Passport to Earning (P2E) |
| Reported student milestone | More than 14,000 students completed the programme |
| Programme focus | Free, job-relevant learning and certification for young people |
| Announcement | October 30, 2026 |
What the P2E Programme Offers
Passport to Earning is designed to help young people build skills that can complement their formal education and support their transition towards further study, work or entrepreneurship. UNICEF describes the programme as offering localised access to courses, certificates and pathways that may connect learners with career guidance, coaching, internships, placements and other opportunities through partner organisations.
The reported VISTAS milestone concerns students who completed the programme. It does not, by itself, confirm that every participant received a job placement or employment offer. Students should distinguish course completion and certification from a guaranteed job outcome.
University Plans and Student Opportunities
VELS Group of Institutions Vice President Dr. Preethaa Ganesh said the university and UNICEF would explore further engagement in areas such as industry exposure, placement-oriented initiatives and career development. The announcement also referred to a hackathon planned for January, where students could apply their learning through practical activities. It did not specify the event date, eligibility rules or registration process.
| Student question | What is confirmed |
|---|---|
| Does completion guarantee employment? | No such guarantee was stated; P2E provides skills learning and pathways to opportunities. |
| Are new courses or admissions being announced? | No. The update concerns programme completion and future collaboration. |
| When is the hackathon? | January was mentioned, but the exact date and participation details were not provided. |
Important Date
- October 30, 2026: Announcement of the reported 14,000-plus student completion milestone.
Official Links
VELS University: https://www.velsuniv.ac.in/
UNICEF India Passport to Earning: https://www.unicef.org/india/p2e
Students interested in P2E courses or future VELS activities should check the university and UNICEF pages for current access, eligibility and event information. The reported milestone reflects programme completion; details about any next phase should be confirmed through an official announcement.
