UGC notifies guidelines for pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously

The University Grants Commission UGC on Wednesday notified guidelines for pursuing two academic programmes simultaneously in physical online or distance learning modeUGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar on Tuesday announced that the commission has decided to allow students to pursue two fulltime and samelevel degree programmes in physical mode simultaneously either at the same university or from different universitiesThe guidelines come into effect from Wednesday and no retrospective benefit can be claimed by students who have already done two academic programmes simultaneously prior to the notification of these guidelinesA student can pursue two fulltime academic programmes in physical mode provided that in such cases class timings for one programme do not overlap with the class timings of the other programme A student can pursue two academic programmes one in fulltime physical mode and another in Open and DistanceLearning ODL online mode or up to two ODL and online programmes simultaneously the guidelines readDegree or diploma programmes under ODL or online mode shall be pursued with only such HEIs higher education institutions which are recognised by the UGC Statutory Council or the government of India for running such programmes it addedThe UGC has informed that degree or diploma programmes under these guidelines shall be governed by the regulations notified by it and also the respective statutory and professional councils wherever applicableThe guidelines shall be applicable only to the students pursuing academic programmes other than PhD programme Based on the guidelines the universities can devise mechanisms through their statutory bodies for allowing their students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously the UGC saidThe UGC has been planning such a move for a long time but received the goahead for it in 2020 The commission had set up a committee in 2012 as well to examine the idea and consultations were held but ultimately the idea was junkedWith the rapid increase in demand for higher education and limited availability of seats in regular stream several higher education institutions have started a number of programmes in ODL mode to meet aspirations of students It has also led to the emergence of online education programmes which a student can pursue within the comforts of their home the UGC saidThe issue of allowing students to pursue two academic programmes simultaneously has been examined by the commission keeping in view of the provisions envisaged in NEP which emphasises the need to facilitate multiple pathways to learning involving both formal and nonformal education modes it addedThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever