New guidelines issued by UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued guidelines for implementing short-term industry relevant certificate courses in higher education institutions as per the needs of the industry. These certificate courses will be of up to 30 credits. A senior officer associated with UGC said that these courses will help students in practical learning and the gap between students and workplace will also reduce.

STSDC courses will be of 3 to 6 months
According to the new guidelines, students of every stream in universities and colleges will be able to do Short Term Skill Development Course (STSDC). By completing these courses of 3 to 6 months, students will get at least 12 and maximum 30 credits. Students doing degree or diploma from any college or university or any student who has passed 12th will be eligible for these courses.

The course will make it easier for students to find jobs: UGC Chairman
Talking about this, UGC Chairman Jagdish Kumar said that the new guideline has been designed under the National Education Policy (NEP, 2020). With the help of these courses, we will be able to move from traditional methods of study and heavy content learning to practical learning.

Doing Short Term Skill Development Certificate course will increase the competency level of the students and will also make it easier for them to enter the job market. Jagdish Kumar also said that students who have left school or college midway due to some reason can also work on their skills with the help of these courses.

Students can do courses on 27 topics
27 short term skill development courses like AI, Robotics, Internet of Things, Electronic System Design, Digital Marketing, Yogic Science, Soft Skills and Effective Communication, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving will be available to the students.

Institutes will work as centers for skill development courses
A senior professor associated with UGC said that all such higher education institutes which have the necessary infrastructure for skill training can offer courses in their institutes after the approval of the management. All higher education institutions will have to identify themselves as centers for skill development courses.

The institute will have to give every detail of the course on its website.
Higher education institutes can create these centers themselves or can work on it with the help of industry. The institute will have to upload the design and curriculum of these courses, number of seats and admission, course and fee structure, details of students and the certificate issued for each course on the website.

There will be 60 students in each course, 60% of total credits will be given on credit score.
There should not be more than 60 students in each cohort i.e. each course. Batches can be increased if needed for any course. 60% of the total credits will be given to the skill component of each course. This credit percentage can go up to a maximum of 70%.

In the skill component, components like practical laboratory, workshop and hands-on training applicable in the industry will have to be provided. Every three years, an external committee formed by the Vice Chancellor or Principal will also inspect these centres.