Bhubaneswar: The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday has invited suggestions on the draft regulations prepared for ‘Academic collaboration between Indian and foreign Higher Education Institutions to offer Joint Degree, Dual Degree and Twinning Programmes'.
It is pertinent to mention here that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The NEP-2020 calls for permitting credits acquired in foreign countries to be counted for the award of a degree.
Furthermore, the budget announcement of 2021 proposed regulatory mechanism to permit dual degrees, joint degrees and twinning arrangements.
As per an official UGC notification, these Regulations shall apply to-
(a) Indian Higher Education Institutions intending to collaborate with Foreign Higher Education Institutions leading to award of diploma(s) and degree(s) including Post Graduate and Doctoral programmes; and
(b) Foreign Higher Education Institution intending to collaborate with Indian Higher Education Institutions.
These Regulations shall not be applicable to programmes offered in online mode and Open and Distance Learning mode.
Provisions of Collaboration:
Academic Collaboration between Indian and foreign higher education institutions under these Regulations shall facilitate the following academic activity:-
Credit Recognition and Transfer:
(a) “Credit Recognition and Transfer” for the purpose of these regulations shall mean
‘Credit’ conferred by a foreign higher education institution to be recognised, quantified and included towards the credit requirements for a programme delivered by an Indian higher education institution solely or jointly with a foreign higher education institution and vice versa.
Eligibility and Procedure for collaborations:
Academic Collaboration between Indian and foreign higher education institution will be permitted through two modes i.e. (1) Automatic mode and (2) Approval mode.
Consequence of violations: -
The Commission shall, suo motu or on the basis of any complaint from any quarter may cause an inquiry, including physical inspection, of the collaborative arrangements and after having satisfied itself that the collaborating institution(s)is/are not functioning in accordance with these regulations, may revoke the approval for collaboration and while issuing such directions, the Commission shall ensure that the students, who have already enrolled for such course or programme are permitted to continue till they obtain requisite qualification.
For other details. visit the official UGC website. Click Here.