UGC guidelines: approved short-term skill courses on yogic sciences, AI, ML, data science

December 12, 2023

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UGC Guidelines:

The University Grants Commission intends to incorporate skill development into higher education by implementing brief industry-focused courses for individuals who have successfully completed their Class 12 exams. On Thursday, the UGC sanctioned the “Guidelines for the Introduction of Short-Term Skill Development Courses in Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs),” which enable students to enroll in credit-linked certificate courses for skill development lasting between three to six months.

According to the UGC guidelines, universities and colleges have the option to partner with skill councils and industry stakeholders in order to gain access to placement opportunities, funding schemes, training, and up-to-date course content that aligns with industry standards. These courses will operate in a self-sustainable manner, allowing universities the freedom to establish their own policies.

The UGC guidelines have recommended brief duration courses on cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, robotics, Internet of Things, data science, cloud computing, virtual reality, cyber security, 5G connectivity, industrial automation, and more.

One of the recommended programs in the list of short-term certificate courses is the “Yogic Sciences” course. The UGC intends to release a draft of the guidelines for public feedback this week. As stated by UGC chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar, short-term skill development courses in any field will have a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 30 credits, emphasizing practical learning. Universities and colleges can provide these courses along with employment prospects and internships for students who successfully finish the program.

UGC certificate course structure, credits, fee

The university mandates that every course must be credit-linked in accordance with the National Credit Framework. To earn a credit, a student must dedicate 15 hours per week to theoretical studies and 30 hours over a two-week period to practical learning. As per the preliminary guidelines, any short-term skill development course in any field should consist of a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 30 credits. Each course will have a maximum capacity of 60 seats, ensuring a minimum student-faculty ratio of 1:30.

According to the draft document, the curriculum will consist of a balanced combination of general and skill components for every course. Universities have the flexibility to incorporate up to 70% skill-based content in the certificate course. The skill component will encompass practical sessions conducted in laboratories, workshops, industry premises, and other hands-on training opportunities within the institution’s vicinity. To ensure compliance with the new regulations, students must obtain an Academic Bank of Credit identification card and register on the ABC platform for course admission starting from 2023. Additionally, educational institutions have the authority to determine the fee structure and refund policy for each course, which must be transparently displayed on the official website.

Skill development centre

The UGC guidelines propose the establishment of a skill development center funded by the university itself. This center will be responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure to conduct skill development courses. Additionally, it will maintain a record of local job opportunities and the skill requirements of the local industry in the region. The center will also offer data support for these courses. As part of mandatory disclosure, the center will publish various details about the courses on the university website, including their names, available seats, admission criteria, course structure, fee structure, information about enrolled students, and certificates issued for each course. Furthermore, the center will be responsible for designing, adopting, and delivering short-term courses.

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