Students can now take two full-time degree programs in Physical mode simultaneously, University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar declared on Tuesday. He disclosed that clear guidelines would be put out this week, authorising universities to enable the programs.

The new policy would enable students to simultaneously pursue two physical undergraduate or postgraduate courses or combine them with an online/distance learning course. Realistically speaking, he acknowledged that a student is more likely to opt for an online degree course and a physical one, given how intensive the full-time degree can be.

Earlier in May 2020, the UGC ordinances did not permit students to pursue two full-time programmes, and they could only pursue one full-time degree along with online/short-term/diploma courses. 

The new policies will involve all the programmes available across the nation. Students can pick a combination of a diploma programme and an undergraduate (UG) degree, two master’s programmes, or two bachelor’s programmes simultaneously. For instance, if a learner is qualified to pursue a postgraduate (UG) degree and desires to register for a bachelor’s degree in a separate domain, they will be able to pursue a UG and PG degree simultaneously. 

Universities will have the flexibility to determine if they want to deliver such a system of programmes or not. The policies will only apply to lecture-based studies, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and diploma programmes. MPhil and PhD programmes will not fall under the same procedure.

 UGC has decided to issue new guidelines which will enable students to pursue two academic programmes as the National Education Policy 2020 emphasises the need to facilitate multiple pathways to learning involving both formal and non-formal education. Combining the physical model and the online form will allow students to acquire various skills in different streams of their choice.

With the rapid increase in the need for high-quality higher education and the limit of only enrolling about 3 per cent of students on physical campuses, there have been many effects on open and distance learning and online teaching. Many universities are now offering offline and online programmes and adding that the UGC will release modified regulations for online education in a couple of weeks. Many top-quality institutes in India will start offering online degrees.

Also, lately, The University Grant Commission (UGC) recommended all the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) award degrees, mark sheets, and other certificates to qualified students within 180 days from result declaration.

Also, Read Grant degrees within 180 days after results: UGC to higher educational institutions.

In a recent official statement, the council has stated that it has acquired numerous grievances, criticisms and RTIs from the students about a delay in granting degrees by different HEIs. The committee also commented that the delay in issuing the degree, mark sheet, and other certificates causes problems for higher education and employment students. Therefore, UGC has taken a serious view of this issue. 

Source: THE INDIAN EXPRESS