Even if you are not a graduate, you may be eligible for pursuing Post-Graduation programmes if the recommendations of a UGC committee are accepted.
In the path-breaking proposal and in line with the Western education system, the committee headed by UGC member Prof Xavier Alphonse has suggested that students without completing their degree courses can get admission to PG programmes through lateral entry under the Community College Scheme.
“All that the student needs to do is that he or she will have to undergo a bridge course. Once they clear the course, they can participate in the PG courses at these community colleges which may be started in the country,” said UGC Chairman Prof Sukhadeo Thorat.
A committee last week said Community Colleges may be launched in a similar fashion as they exist in the US, Australia and Canada.
These institutes proposed to impart three-year degree programmes in various subjects with a provision for awarding diploma at the end of each year.
“If the student discontinues in the first year of the Degree course, he or she can be awarded one-year diploma. Similarly, those who complete 2nd-year can get two-year diploma certificate,” Thorat said.
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The advantage of participating in these degree programmes will be in terms of the option to pursue PG courses through the bridge course.
The bridge course will be a sort of package programme that will enhance the level of competence of the candidates to the level of a PG student.
There may be central scheme on community college, Thorat said.
“Now the recommendations of the committee will be placed before the commission after which it will be sent to HRD ministry for approval. If approved, a scheme may be started for Community Colleges,” he said.
Community Colleges are very popular in the Western countries where these institutions primarily attract and accept students from the local community, and are often supported by the local tax revenue.
In the US and Canada, a community college, sometimes called a county college, junior college, technical college, or a city college, is an educational institute providing higher education and lower-level tertiary education, granting certificates and diplomas.
Community colleges in Malaysia are a network of educational institutes whereby vocational and technical skills training could be provided at all levels for school leavers before they entered the workforce.
In the UK, community colleges teach General Certificates of Secondary Education courses.