Page 5 - Ugc

No official communication to colleges yet regarding 4-year hons in UG level

The West Bengal higher secondary examination results are due after about a month but the colleges are yet to get any official communication on the possible introduction of four year under graduate honours course from the next academic year. The higher education department is yet to come up with any official communique about the issue. Colleges and universities need to ready the infrastructure for any new arrangement, the president of West Bengal Council of Higher Education Chiranjib Bhattacharya has said. Education minister Bratya Basu had in recent occasions said that there was wide consensus among experts for implementation of some key features of National Education Policy, 2020, like four-year honours course in UG courses in place of the existing three years and one year post graduate course instead of two years, or 4+1 format in place of the erstwhile 3+2 format. "We have sent our recommendations to the higher education department after weighng the pros and cons of the erstwh

Same-sex marriage case: Some kind of labelling important, SC tells Centre

From hearing the plea on same-sex marriages to Uphaar cinema hall's de-sealing, here are some important cases that were heard today

UGC asks univs to allow students to write exams in local languages

Calls for list of textbooks, reference books and other study material available in local languages in each institution

HEIs may soon provide part-time jobs to economically weaker students

An "earn-while-learn" scheme might soon be launched in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to help students from socio-economically disadvantaged groups to earn and support their education, according to University Grants Commission (UGC). The UGC has proposed that HEIs may provide various part-time engagement opportunities to the enrolled students in any academic departments of the HEIs within the campus. According to draft Guidelines for Equitable Opportunity to the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in HEIs, the rate of remuneration for each of the students will be a consolidated amount on an hourly basis for the part-time service they render, a maximum of 20 hours per week, 20 days per month. The UGC has noted the payment may be made on an actual basis and the services of the student will be rendered after class hours. "The Earn-while-Learn (EWL) scheme is a means to help the SEDGs students earn and support their education and acquire skills and capabilities that

Allow students to write exams in local languages: UGC to universities

The University Grants Commission has asked universities to allow students to write exams in local languages even if the course is offered in English medium, according to Chairman Jagadesh Kumar. It said that higher education institutions play an important role in preparing textbooks and supporting the teaching-learning process in the mother tongue/local languages. The commission stressed that it is necessary to strengthen these efforts and "promote such initiatives as writing textbooks in the mother tongue/local languages and encouraging their use in teaching, including translating standard books from other languages". "Therefore, the commission requests that students in your university be allowed to write the answers in local languages in examinations even if the programme is offered in English medium, and promote translation of original writing in local languages and use local language in the teaching-learning process at universities," it said.

Students' Grievance Regulations prevents caste-based discrimination: UGC

These regulations do not replace other regulations/guidelines made/issued by the UGC from time to time to ensure that no student is discriminated against on the basis of caste, creed, religion, etc.

NTA declared UGC NET result 2023: Here's how to download UGC NET scorecard

NTA declared UGC NET 2023 result on Thursday evening. Candidates can download the UGC NET scorecard from the official website, ugcnet.nta.nic.in

UGC initiates new curriculum to promote environmental education at UG level

The initiative aims to boost the popularity of environmental education to sensitize the students and make it a core subject instead of being offered as an elective or optional subject

Over 200 universities on board for CUET-UG, up from 90 last year: UGC

Over 200 universities have opted for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admission to undergraduate programmes so far, up from 90 universities last year, according to University Grants Commission officials. The deadline for application has been extended till March 30 as more universities are expected to select the test for admissions. The 206 universities include 44 central universities and 33 state universities such as Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Dr B R Ambedkar School of Economics, Karnataka, Cotton University, Guwahati, and Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi. "Number of participating Universities in Common University Entrance Test (CUET-UG) crosses 200 today. It is now 206 including 33 state government universities," a senior UGC official said. The exam is scheduled to be conducted from May 21-31. The UGC in March last year announced that undergraduate admissions will be conducted in all central universities through a common entrance test and not on

Indian varsities eyeing offshore campuses: UGC chief M Jagadesh Kumar

African and Gulf nations, Thailand and Vietnam are among potential destinations for Indian universities to set up their offshore campuses, regulations for which are ready and will be announced in a month, according to UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar. In an interview to PTI, Kumar said several countries are coming forward to provide infrastructure to Indian universities to set up campuses abroad and the University Grants Commission (UGC) will handhold the institutions in identifying the countries where they can set up their offshore campuses. "We have in India huge university ecosystem. There are outstanding universities, both in central government, state government funded and private universities. We want to encourage these varsities to set up their campuses abroad. Some countries where they are coming forward to provide the infrastructure to our universities to set up their campus. "We have countries where we have large Indian diaspora who want our campuses to come and provide ...

CUET's merger with JEE, NEET to be announced 2 yrs in advance: UGC chief

The Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG will be conducted in three shifts this year instead of two and plans for its merger with crucial entrance exams like JEE and NEET will be announced at least two years in advance, according to UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar. In an interview to PTI, Kumar said the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the National Testing Agency (NTA) are prepared to ensure that the second edition of CUET-UG is glitch free. "I agree there were several glitches during the exam last time but this year all issues have been ironed out. Keeping in mind the experience of the students, a plan has been chalked out and we are ready to ensure that the candidates just have to worry about the exam and not any glitches," he said. "Extra computers and extra centres have been arranged as plan B so that in case there are any glitches, the candidates can be shifted there and the exam for a particular shift will not be cancelled," he added. Kumar said that in a deviation f

As its chairperson resigns, a look at what NAAC is and what it does

Bhushan Kumar had alleged institutes were obtaining 'questionable grades' through malpractice

NAAC chief Bhushan Patwardhan resigns to 'safeguard sanctity of post'

National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) chairperson Bhushan Patwardhan has resigned, saying he was doing so to safeguard "the sanctity of the post", days after alleging that universities were obtaining questionable grades through unfair means. In a letter to University Grants Commission Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar on Sunday night, Patwardhan said he was resigning from his post. "After careful reconsideration of the entire subject, I hereby resign from the position of Chairman of the Executive Committee, NAAC, Bengaluru in the larger interest of the UGC, NAAC, and Indian higher education system," he wrote. "I wish to reiterate that I had nothing personal in this matter but it was an act to safeguard self-respect and the sanctity of the post of chairman EC and the NAAC," he added. NAAC is an autonomous body under the UGC that assesses and certifies higher educational institutions with gradings as part of accreditation. Patwardhan last week demanded an "independent inquiry

UGC NET Phase 2 exam today for phase 2 subjects: Guidelines and Details

The UGC NET 2023 exam is scheduled to begin today. NTA will conduct the second phase of the UGC NET 2023 exam. There will be two shifts for the exam. Exam timings and other details are given below

In a first, Australia's Deakin University to set up campus in GIFT city

Deakin University sits in the 266th spot in the QS World University Rankings. It is among the top 50 young universities in the world

Examination help centres to be set up for CUET-UG aspirants, says UGC

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Friday announced setting up of examination help centres for creating awareness among CUET-UG aspirants and providing guidance for filling applications. The Common University Entrance Test (CUET) for admission in undergraduate programmes at all central universities is scheduled from May 21 to 31. "To ensure more participation from candidates throughout India, it has been decided to open CUET (UG)-2023 Examination Help Centres for creating awareness among aspiring applicants and help provide equal opportunities to the candidates, especially from rural and remote areas," UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said in a series of tweets. The key objective of this is to ensure that candidates who want to appear for the CUET (UG)-2023 should be able to apply without any difficulty and get necessary guidance, if required, and candidates need not go to any cyber cafe for filling their CUET application, he said. Each centre will have a dedicated technical ..

80% of associate professors waiting for promotions for over 5 years: JNUTA

At least 80 per cent of associate professors have been waiting for promotions for more than five years while promotions of 90 per cent of women faculty are due, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Teachers' Association (JNUTA) alleged on Tuesday. During the tenure of the previous vice chancellor, no promotions were done and many cases faced rejections. At least 73 per cent of assistant professors and 80 per cent of associate professors have been waiting for promotions for more than five years now, a JNUTA office bearer claimed. He further said that several assistant professors have held the position for 10 to 12 years, before being promoted as associate professors and that, at least 90 per cent of women faculty were due for promotions. Promotion is not just about money, it is also about dignity. Many assistant professors have been holding that position for 10-12 years, before being promoted as associate professors. There's a huge backlog, the JNUTA office bearer said. JNUTA claimed tha

All central varsities must adopt CUET for UG admissions: UGC to AMU, Jamia

The University Grants Commission has written to Aligarh Muslim University and Jamia Millia Islamia, reiterating that all central universities have to mandatorily adopt the Common University Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate programmes. "UGC (University Grants Commission) has asked all the central universities to use CUET (Common University Entrance Test) scores for admissions to all the courses. However, this has been observed that Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has opted to participate in CUET-2023 for a limited number of programmes/courses, as was done last year. "Please note that all the central universities, including AMU, are required to participate for all UG programmes in CUET 2023 to provide equal opportunities to aspiring candidates, which is in the student's best interests," the UGC said in the letter. The letter also stated that CUET provides a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from the northeast, rural

Missing link in UGC's foreign university plans to set up campuses in India

Educational emigration will remain high unless India strengthens the skill development ecosystem in higher education, say students and teachers

Encourage teaching in local languages in education institutions: UGC to CMs

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has written to all governors and chief ministers requesting them to encourage teaching and learning, and production of textbooks in mother tongue in their Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), according to chairman M Jagadesh Kumar. "Teaching through Indian languages is a key area of focus of the National Education Policy 2020. The policy emphasises the importance of teaching and teaching materials in the mother tongue. It is heartening to note that textbooks in the mother tongue and local languages are promoted and used by higher education institutions in our country," Kumar said. "Teaching is also being imparted in the mother tongue and local language in many college and university undergraduate programmes in social sciences, commerce, science. This has benefited students from all strata of our society, particularly the disadvantaged sections and those residing in rural and remote areas," he added. Kumar noted that it is a matter of concern .