UGC allows Institutes to offer Short-Term Courses

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In a meeting held by the UGC on the 7th of December, the higher education governing body approved guidelines for the introduction of short-term credit-based courses.

This initiative, offering industry-specific certification courses for a duration of 6 to 8 months, seeks to inculcate industry-specific skills in students to enhance their employability.

What do the guidelines specify?

The guidelines for the “Introduction of Short-Term Skill Development Courses in Higher Educational Institutes” have been developed in line with the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and the National Education Policy 2020.?

Under the guidelines,

"Anyone who has passed the 10+2 or Senior Secondary examination or its equivalent is eligible for admission to the short-term courses"

said UGC Chairman, M. Jagadesh Kumar, in an interview with The Hindu. Furthermore, student intake per course must be limited to 60, with a teacher-student ratio of 1:30.

As per directions, HEIs have been urged to leverage primary focal points including Artificial Intelligence, and machine learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics, IoT (Internet of Things)/ Industrial IoT/Smart Cities, Data Science and Analytics, Cloud Computing, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Extended Reality, Cyber Security and Digital Forensics, 5G Connectivity, Digital Fluency/ Digital transformation, Industrial Automation and Robotics Process Automation (RPA), Electronic System Designs/ VLSI Designs, Electronic Manufacturing, Basic Coding in Computing Language, 3D Printing, Digital Marketing, soft skills, health and wellness, Mobile Communication, Mobile Repairing and Basics of DTH Installation, Yogic Sciences, Fashion Technology, Fashion design, stitching, among others for the short-term courses.

A short-term skill development course in any field must comprise a minimum of 12 credits and a maximum of 30 credits.

Each credit is delineated as 15 hours for theoretical instruction (equivalent to one hour per week) and 30 hours for hands-on or skill-based training (equivalent to two hours per week).

These guidelines aim to establish a structured framework for short-term courses, ensuring a balanced blend of theoretical knowledge and practical expertise.

Strong emphasis is also placed on practical learning in short-term skill development courses.

Additionally, HEIs are encouraged to devise plans that facilitate employment opportunities and internships for students who successfully complete these courses.

UGC’s encouragement towards HEI collaborations with skill development institutes

With the approval of draft guidelines, the UGC has encouraged HEIs to collaborate with Sector Skills Councils/Awarding Bodies and Industry in order to enhance credibility, offer better placement opportunities and also open avenues towards funding and training resources.?

In this context, the UGC said,

"It is desirable that these institutes establish a Centre for Skill Development Courses, which will maintain a profile of local job opportunities, skill requirements for the local industries in the region, monitor design, adoption and delivery of these courses."

To facilitate a seamless learning environment, institutes are encouraged to enter into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with councils and industries.

These agreements may encompass the establishment of infrastructural facilities, ensuring ample building and workshop space equipped with appropriate machinery, tools, and laboratory resources adhering to industry standards, as stipulated by the UGC.

This holistic approach aims to foster a symbiotic relationship between educational institutions and industries, enriching the learning experience and promoting practical skill development.

Our View

The UGC's recent approval of guidelines for short-term credit-based courses marks a significant stride in aligning higher education with industry demands and the evolving landscape of technology.?

upGrad Campus, in this context, can join hands with HEIs in training students with necessary industry-ready skills.

Our short-term Job Ready Certification Programs, spanning 5-9 months, empower every student with in-demand skills for enhanced employability.

We facilitate the bridging of the gap between theoretical learning and real-time application, cultivating students to emerge as future leaders in their chosen career paths.

Through our exclusive job portal, students also? gain access to our expansive network of 350+ hiring partners with 10,000+ open positions, helping them establish their dream career.?

The path towards bridging the industry-academia gap is one that requires effective collaboration.

With the right balance of theory and hands-on learning, students will actively apply learnings into real-life problems and innovate better solutions to build successful careers in future.