Font size:
Print
New UGC Guidelines
Context:
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced reforms allowing students to complete their undergraduate degrees either earlier (accelerated) or later (extended) than the standard duration.
- This is a transformative move to increase flexibility and autonomy in India’s higher education system.
Advantages of the New Framework:
- Flexibility and Autonomy: Students can tailor their academic trajectory according to personal needs, career goals, and interests, enabling greater autonomy.
- Global Competitiveness: The reforms align India’s undergraduate education with international standards, enhancing student mobility both within India and abroad.
- Multidisciplinary Approach: Encourages exploration of a broader range of subjects, internships, research, and skill-building activities, promoting both hard and soft skills. This aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Personal and Professional Balance: Extended degree programs offer more time for students to balance academic commitments with personal and professional pursuits.
Challenges:
- Depth vs. Speed: The accelerated program may risk superficial learning if the same content is compressed, potentially compromising the quality and depth of education.
- Lack of Academic Urgency: The extended degree option may lead to students taking longer than necessary to complete their studies, which could devalue the degree.
- Risk to Depth of Learning: Engineering programs require deep theoretical and practical understanding. An accelerated program could compromise the time needed for core subjects and practical experiences, such as lab work and internships.
- Specialisation vs. Financial Burden: Extended degrees may provide more opportunities for specialisation and research but could impose financial burdens on students, especially those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
Path Forward:
- Curricular Restructuring: Universities will need to rethink and restructure curricula to incorporate flexible learning pathways, ensuring that students have the opportunity to pursue diverse academic interests while maintaining the integrity of their core fields of study.
- Faculty Development: Teachers will need professional development to effectively support flexible, interdisciplinary curricula, ensuring the success of these reforms. Professional development programs will be essential in ensuring that faculty members are prepared for these shifts.
- Digital Infrastructure: Addressing the digital divide will require investing in digital infrastructure to ensure that all students have equal access to the resources and tools necessary for learning in the new system.
- Inclusivity: It is crucial to ensure that the reforms are inclusive, providing guidance and support to students from underprivileged backgrounds, and ensuring that financial barriers do not hinder their academic progress.
