Two boats on foot … | UGC | Dual course

The UGC’s decision to study two academic programs simultaneously raises practical issues and concerns about quality …

The UGC guideline, which allows for the study of two academic programs simultaneously at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, is set to take effect in the new academic year (2022-23). This document outlines six objectives envisioned in the new National Education Policy (2020) as a justification for such a structural change. The document repeats six times that the distinction between linguistic and humanities subjects and scientific subjects should be avoided, and that students’ personalities and abilities should be comprehensively developed through the study of different subjects. The main question is whether two different courses (for example, a humanities subject and a science subject) need to be taken at two different institutions to achieve these goals.

World models like this

Credit systems exist at the undergraduate and graduate levels around the world. Some courses are mandatory for a graduate program. A certain percentage of credit must be earned through such compulsory courses. The rest of the credits can be earned by taking courses in other degree programs at that institution. This method of study will help you to gain in-depth knowledge of the major subject chosen for graduate study as well as a broad understanding of other subjects. The distinction between linguistic and humanities subjects and scientific subjects is avoided. It is not uncommon for students to study a major in the humanities at the undergraduate level and then transition to a science subject at the postgraduate level – and vice versa. This method has not been implemented in India. The UGC proposes to study two academic programs simultaneously with the same objectives. How effective is this proposal to achieve the declared goals?

Learned a lot, without knowing anything

Most foreign countries do not follow the practice of studying two academic programs simultaneously. Such a structural change is now taking place in our country, which does not have the flexible credit system or academic mobility between linguistic-humanities and science subjects as in the countries leading the way in higher education. This proposal does not include the nature of higher education. At a time when specialization in each subject is accumulating, the attempt to study two different subjects simultaneously at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels will create generations who are not proficient in any subject.

The question arises as to whether there should be a holistic view along with specialization. Definitely should. This is possible through a flexible credit system that allows you to study a major subject as well as other topics as mentioned above.

Postgraduate studies are linked to research in all developed countries. Indian universities should also strive for that. Instead, studying two different subjects simultaneously at the undergraduate level would be the biggest foolishness academically. Then you can have two PhDs at the same time.

Way to increase enrollment

Why did this anti-academic proposal come from the UGC? The number of private universities in India is increasing. Behind this are the bigwigs who handle private capital. They can only survive if they have enough enrollment every year. The way to do this is to have two undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the same time.

In India, the relationship between work and academic proficiency is very weak. The Indian middle class sees higher education as the only way to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Most people would be prepared to take two degrees instead of one if it seemed that getting a degree without spending too much time would increase employment opportunities.

It also hides a shortcut to a goal in national education policy. Currently, 26.3% of students in the country seek higher education after school. The declared goal of the National Education Policy is to increase the UN’s Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) to 50% by 2035, an indicator of education empowerment. This means that the number of people seeking higher education should be doubled. This requires a lot of work on the part of the government. The goal can be easily achieved if one takes two degrees by himself. Social empowerment is not possible by making more graduates; Instead, there will be fewer graduates.

What’s next?

When studying two different programs at two institutions simultaneously, there are many practical problems associated with attendance. But even more serious is the fact that it can adversely affect a student’s academic proficiency. What private capital entrepreneurs demand is not academic proficiency, but the skills to do specific types of work. The National Education Policy suggests that the higher education sector should shift to a curriculum that focuses on skills. If you want to study two undergraduate and postgraduate programs at the same time, you need to simplify their content. The nature of higher education will shift from the goal of knowledge production to the acquisition of employable skills.

The document states that it is up to the Academic Council of the respective universities to decide how to implement the UGC directive. Universities in Kerala need to discuss and come to terms with this very complex issue before the start of the next academic year. Alternative inquiries are also necessary. Universities will only be able to achieve this if they have a flexible credit system, as in countries that excel in higher education, and academic mobility between linguistic and humanities subjects and science subjects.

(The author is an Associate Professor of Physics, Govt. College, Madappally, Kozhikode)

English Summary: Complications of Students to pursue dual degree programmes simultaneously