TV
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released the draft guidelines for ‘Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit’ in Academic Programmes offered in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
As per UGC, Multiple Entry and Multiple Exit (ME-ME) in academic programmes is one of the recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
What It Means?
ME-ME ensures students who exit can earn a certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline or field including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor's degree after a 3-year programme with no academic loss and also with the provision to re-enter the academic programme to upgrade qualification.
The curricular and credit framework of the undergraduate programmes (i.e. Four-Year Undergraduate Curricular and Credit Framework of the UGC) as well as that of the postgraduate programmes, both based on NEP 2020, embeds within these, the flexibility to exit at the end of every even semester with a qualification commensurate with the level of study completed.
The creation of an Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) further facilitates smooth student mobility between and among degree-granting HEIs by formalizing credit recognition, accumulation, transfer, and redemption.
In the restructured degree programmes, the undergraduate degree should be of either a three- or four-year duration, with multiple entry and multiple exit options, and with appropriate certifications.
For the Master’s programmes, the HEI will have the flexibility to offer different designs:
A two-year programme with the second year devoted entirely to research for those who have completed the three-year Bachelor’s programme.
A one-year Master’s programme for students who have completed a four-year Bachelor’s programme with Research.
An integrated five-year Bachelor’s/Master’s programme.
Objectives
To provide flexibility to students from the curricular, pedagogic, and disciplinary boundaries of institutions, and enable a wider learning environment in the inter-institutional context.
To ensure learning is exploratory along with the flexibility to experiment and explore multiple avenues.
To ensure that the vacant seats are filled up through a transparent admission process for lateral entry from NCrF level 5 onwards.
To ensure mobility across disciplines and knowledge systems in a credible manner in accordance with the guiding principles of NEP 2020.
For more details, visit the official UGC website.
