UGC approves short-term skill development courses for higher education institutions

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has approved guidelines for higher education institutions (HEIs) to start short-term, credit-linked skill development certificate courses of 3-6 months. These self-financing courses will be available to students who have qualified in the senior secondary exam (10+2) and are eligible for admission to any undergraduate programme of the institution.

What are the new short-term skill development courses approved by the UGC?

As many as 29 courses have been included in the initial list, but HEIs will have the freedom to offer additional courses as long as they have the infrastructure and training capacity.

A short-term course in any stream will be of at least 12 credits and a maximum of 30 credits, with a greater focus on practical learning. The curriculum will be developed in consultation with the relevant sector skill councils, accredited bodies or institutions, and industry partners. Students will be able to take a maximum of two courses during their degree/diploma programmes.

HEIs will have a say in how they conduct the theory classes, but the hands-on training must happen in an industry setting or workshop. This will ensure that students are getting the most practical experience possible and are prepared to hit the ground running when they enter the workforce.

HEIs will conduct assessments for the courses and may issue joint certificates with the respective sector skill council(s). If the course is offered with an industry partner/council/professional body, joint certification may be provided. Students must have an Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) account to deposit the credits earned and the certificates would be made available in digital form through the National Academic Depository (NAD) and/or Digi-Locker.

There are many benefits to these new skill development courses. For students, they provide an opportunity to gain valuable skills that will make them more employable after graduation. For HEIs, they provide a way to generate additional revenue and to make their programmes more relevant to the needs of the job market. For the Indian economy as a whole, these courses can help to create a more skilled workforce and to boost economic growth.

There are also some challenges that need to be addressed. One challenge is ensuring that the quality of the courses is high. Another challenge is ensuring that students have access to the necessary infrastructure and training facilities. Finally, it is important to ensure that these courses are not seen as a substitute for traditional higher education, but rather as a complement to it.

Overall, the introduction of these new skill development courses is a positive step forward for higher education in India. These courses have the potential to benefit students, HEIs, and the Indian economy as a whole. However, it is important to address the challenges that exist in order to ensure that these courses are successful. (News Souce)