The University Grants Commission (UGC) has framed a new student-centric Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUP) incorporating a flexible choice-based credit system, multiple entry and exit options, and a multidisciplinary approach under the National Education Policy (NEP).
Accordingly the UGC has also released guidelines for internship/research internship for the Under Graduate (UG) Students. UGC believes that the employability of graduates can be improved by developing practical experience and exposure with the required right kind of attitude for the workplace.
The undergraduate internships would be classified into two types: i. Internship for enhancing the employability ii. Internship for developing the research aptitude
The UGC has asked Higher Education Institutes to play an important role in arranging internships for their students by creating a structured robust mechanism for internship programmes under their Research and Development (R&D) Cell. The R&D cell may appoint the coordinator or create a well-defined mechanism or structure at the HEI level for smooth coordination and functioning of internships across diverse disciplines.
A minimum of 2-4 credits, out of the required minimum 120/160 credits, of a 3-year UG degree/4-year UG degree (Honours)/4-year UG degree (Honours with Research) can be assigned for Internship as per the National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programme (CCFUP).
An internship of 60 to 120 hours duration after the 4th semester will be mandatory for the students enrolled in UG degree programmes. For an internship, one credit of Internship means two-hour engagement per week.
Accordingly, in a semester of 15 weeks’ duration, one credit in this course is equivalent to 30 hours of engagement in a semester. For the 4-year UG degree programme (Honours with Research), engagement of students in the dissertations/research project during the entire 8th semester of 12 credits will be considered as a mandatory component for the award of the degree.
The students need to essentially submit the research project/ dissertations/ thesis/project work to the allotted mentor.