The language is introduced as a compulsory subject in the first year of the course so that all students are exposed to it and can decide whether they wish to pursue it further. (Source: AI Generated Image)
Most Nursing students focus on clinical training. But in addition to this, students at the K J Somaiya College of Nursing in Mumbai are learning German–part of a unique initiative designed to help students explore career opportunities abroad.
The language is introduced as a compulsory subject in the first year of the course so that all students are exposed to it and can decide whether they wish to pursue it further. Interested students can then continue it as an optional subject in the remaining years to complete the required level of German language training for employment there. As a result of this unique opportunity, the first batch of four students is expected to head to Germany in December 2026.
Principal of the college Dr Avani Oke said this initiative began in 2023. After realising the potential career opportunities for nursing graduates in Germany, the college entered into two MoUs–with Centrepoint Personnel, an Indian company which provides German language training and with Mittelpunkt Personal GMBH, a German company which facilitates employment for nursing graduates in Germany. “Around the same time, the Nursing Council of India issued a circular that foreign languages can be taught to nursing students to explore global career opportunities, which worked in our favour.”
As per the information shared by the college, the German language training comprises levels –A1, A2, B1, B2. Students need to clear at least B2 level of German language for job opportunities in Germany.
When the programme started then final year students began with introductory level and four students from this batch are now expected to move to Germany by this year’s end. But this is now more structured to include German language training while pursuing the nursing course.
Dr Oke explained the structure further while emphasising that Somaiya College is one of the first ones to start offering such combined training. “The college offers two courses – General Nursing and Midwifery (GNM), a three-year course and BSc in Nursing, a four-year course.
The first level of German language–A1–is introduced as a compulsory subject in the first year, comprising approximately 60 hours of training. Students who clear this level can choose to continue with higher levels.
Story continues below this ad
In the BSc in Nursing programme, all four levels of German language training are distributed across the four years, one level per year. In the GNM course, A2 and B1 levels are combined in the second year. In both courses the B2 level is taught in the final year focusing on conversational skills that require students to communicate in the German language.”
Dr Oke said the remaining three levels of German language come with a nominal fee-charged to students to ensure that they become responsible and accountable for attending the classroom training. “This amount will be refunded once the student clears the level,” said Dr Oke. Out of 40 students per course, 15 from GNM course and four from BSc Nursing course have expressed interest to pursue German language training after having completed first-level during their first year of the course.
Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra.
Expertise
Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting.
Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive:
Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses).
Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers.
Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis).
Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students.
Credentials & Trustworthiness
Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized.
Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families.
She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More
