The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities to make the required changes to their structure to help students obtain two academic degrees at the same time. Since class times for both programs do not clash, students may choose to take two full-time courses.
In April, the committee approved a proposal that would allow students to study for two full-time programs simultaneously. The new guidelines only apply to programs other than PhD. UGC had previously allowed students to take one regular and one distance course together.
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“All higher education institutions (HEIs) were requested to devise mechanisms through their statutory bodies to enable students to follow two academic programs simultaneously. It is once again requested that, in the greater interest of the students, the implementation of the said scheme can be kindly assured and expedited, if not done so far,” reads the official statement from UGC.
“With the rapid increase in the demand for higher education and the limited availability of places in the mainstream stream, several higher education institutions have launched a number of programs in open and distance learning to meet the aspirations of students. The issue of enabling students to pursue two academic programs simultaneously has been explored by the UGC, taking into account the proposals in the NEP 2020, which emphasize the need to facilitate multiple learning pathways, involving both formal and non-formal education. involved,” the UGC guidelines read.
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 suggests that pedagogy needed to change to make education more experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-driven, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable.
According to the commission, students are required to undertake diploma or diploma programs under ODL (Open and Distance Learning) and Online mode with only higher education institutions recognized by UGC, Statutory Council and Government of India.
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