New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has urged all the universities and colleges to embrace a policy that would allow general stream students to pursue up to 40% of the courses online, using the SWAYAM website. The policy aims to help students to opt for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). 

The National Education Policy (NEP) has suggested conducting online classes as it has a wider reach, expanding the access of the students from across and anywhere in the country and increasing the GER.

As per the UGC notice, students can, alongside, attend the SWAYAM courses and their university studies at the same time. The score received on the SWAYAM website will be credited by certification and will be added to their degree program. Earlier, the credit limit was only 20 percent, and now it has been raised to 40 percent, making the courses more accessible.

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"SWAYAM provides flexibility & opportunity to students to enroll in multiple courses & avail multiple certificates. @ugc_india requests HEIs to adopt SWAYAM Courses for maximum benefits of students," the UGC said in a tweet.

SWAYAM provides flexibility & opportunity to students to enroll in multiple courses & avail multiple certificates. @ugc_india requests HEIs to adopt SWAYAM Courses for maximum benefits of students.@PMOIndia @EduMinOfIndia @ani_digital @PIB_India @DDNational @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/LkxyfDqjMC

— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) June 3, 2022

UGC’s letter to the vice-chancellors of all universities stated, "Since the launch of SWAYAM Platform in 2017, 7,115 courses have been offered. About 2.72 crore learners have enrolled for the programmes offered on the SWAYAM platform, and 11.13 lakhs certificates have been issued."

"ln addition, during the lockdown owing to the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic, SWAYAM Platform saw increased usages, nearly 2.5 lakh times," it added.

UGC has directed colleges and institutions to set up a curriculum that suits well with the courses offered through the SWAYAM website.

Further, it has directed the colleges to make the necessary amendments within four weeks from the date of publication in the Official Gazette so that there is an integration between the institutions and the courses offered through SWAYAM.

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This will help the students to have clarity and help them choose a course wisely, which would complement their degree programme and help their credit score.

According to a survey conducted by the education ministry, more than 70 percent of students spanning from about 338 universities/ institutions across India expressed interest in availing credit transfer of SWAYAM courses.