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In July 2020, the UGC issued guidelines to enable higher education institutions to provide internships to undergraduate students. (Image for representation: AyraNews24x7)
Colleges and universities are likely to launch the new course in the January-February 2025 academic session. It aims to increase employability and bridge the gap between “what is taught in the classroom” and “what is required by industry”.
The University Grants Commission is all set to release draft guidelines for higher education institutions to offer apprenticeship linked undergraduate courses. Colleges and universities are likely to start the courses in the January-February 2025 academic session.
The course will offer Apprenticeship Embedded Degree Program (AEDP), which aims to enhance the employability of young graduates. The University Grants Commission (UGC) in a meeting on October 3 considered the guidelines which will be opened for public consultation and stakeholder comments in a few days.
The guidelines for the new curriculum have been developed in line with the new National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisages bridging the education-industry gap. “The draft UGC guidelines for AEDP is an important step towards enhancing the employability of youth. The guidelines aim to improve the employability of graduate students by integrating apprenticeships into their degree programmes. Students acquire theoretical knowledge as well as experiential learning by formally incorporating apprenticeships within the degree curriculum, equipping them with the competencies sought by employers. We urge all eligible universities and colleges to offer this course to their students,” said UGC Chairman Professor M Jagadish Kumar.
Here’s what you need to know about the draft guidelines:
- All higher education institutions recognized by the UGC, meeting specific requirements – such as desired NAAC score or NIRF rank – are eligible to offer degree courses with apprenticeship.
- Institutes may prescribe internship up to a maximum of 50% of the program duration from the second semester onwards.
- As part of the degree program, a single internship must last for at least one semester, as well as curriculum design and credit mechanisms for credit transfer.
- A credit system is established based on training hours. Credits will be awarded in accordance with the National Credit Framework: 30 hours of training will be equivalent to one credit. This means that a one-year apprenticeship is equivalent to a minimum of 40 credits.
- The draft rules outline a comprehensive assessment strategy that includes assessment by industry, faculty advisors and institutions.
- Universities and colleges offering the course are “expected to monitor students’ progress after completing the AEDP to assess the effectiveness of the programmes”.
- The guidelines also mandate a tripartite agreement between the higher education institution, industry and student.
Why is this new course needed?
In July 2020, the UGC issued guidelines to enable higher education institutions to provide internship to UG students. These guidelines, developed in line with the NEP, suggested that there was a need to bridge the gap between “what is taught in the classroom” and “what is required by industry”.
The guidelines state that apprenticeship has an important role in bridging this gap. All over the world, apprenticeship is considered the preferred and structured training for exposure to real work environment.
It combines work-based learning with theoretical knowledge of related subjects. Through internship, students can actively engage with the practical side of learning.
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