The University Grants Commission (UGC) amidst Covid-19 pandemic is considering “blended learning” after colleges and universities reopen. This could mean allowing universities to teach up to 40% classes in online mode, UGC Chairman DP Singh told to Careers360 on Wednesday.
UGC will also be making an amendment in the current regulation which allows only the universities ranked top 100 in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and have a 3.26 grade by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council to offer classes and degrees through online mode.
The amendment is to be made amidst ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that will allow more institutions to offer online programmes in line with the Prime Minister e-Vidya scheme.
“Keeping the changing environment in mind we are revising the regulations, we will allow universities having 3.01 grade in NAAC,” UGC Chairman DP Singh, asserted.
Institutions with a NAAC grade of 3.26 and above and feature in the top 100 in NIRF’s university category will not need separate permission to launch degree courses. The rest will need to seek permission. This will further allow more institutions to offer online degree programmes.
UGC is working on an integrated version of online and Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education, as many of the universities are offering both, UGC Chairman, asserted.
With this, he said that UGC is working on fresh guidelines for reopening colleges. He also hinted that the blended learning option will be a part of the new guidelines regarding reopening of colleges. “We will be coming up with guidelines in this regard keeping wider perspectives in mind,” UGC Chairman DP Singh asserted.
While talking about dual degree programme for students, Singh said that UGC will come up with fresh regulations in this regard under which students will be in position to pursue two degree programmes, one in offline mode another in online mode.
