A multidisciplinary approach
A look at the guidelines to transform HEIs to multidisciplinary institutions
The draft guidelines to transform Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) into Multidisciplinary Institutions (MIs), released by the UGC, last month classifies HEIs into Teaching-intensive Universities (TUs), Research-intensive Universities (RUs) and degree-awarding Autonomous Colleges (ACs). It is expected that, by 2035, the affiliated colleges will become degree-awarding multidisciplinary ACs or units of universities. The multidisciplinary subjects proposed include Languages, Literature, Music, Philosophy, Art, Dance, Theatre, Education, Maths, Statistics, Pure and Applied Sciences, Sociology, Economics, Sports, Translation and Interpretation.
What’s new
The document proposes a collaboration between institutions through HEI clusters, the merger of single-stream institutions with multidisciplinary institutions, the addition of new departments such as languages, literature, and so on. The HEIs are expected to orient fresh students to new opportunities such as the Academic Bank Credit, with a facility for accumulation, transfer and redemption of credits, and SWAYAM through which a student can learn up to 40% of a course in a semester. Initiatives such as Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching (ARPIT) and Leadership for Academicians Programme (LEAP) are proposed for additional capacity-building for teachers. Efficient mechanisms for placement and grievance handling/redressal are also advised. The Union and State Government norms will be followed for reservations.
Dual major degree programmes can be offered by a collaboration of (i) a single-stream institution with a nearby multidisciplinary institution, (ii) two multidisciplinary institutions, or (iii)two or more members of a cluster of colleges formed by single-stream institutions and multidisciplinary institutions with poor enrollments, including private colleges run by charity missions.
The characteristics of the proposed cluster colleges, and tables of different administrative heads, are also given. The operational requirements for a cluster include a well-equipped curriculum development centre with members from academia, industry, and professional associations.
Significantly, multidisciplinary colleges and universities are advised to institute education departments that can also offer four-year integrated programmes in association with the other disciplines. Multidisciplinary research (MDR) is also proposed for HEI clusters. The Master’s programmes and the four-year UG programmes with a research component, and teaching faculty with different backgrounds, will increase multidisciplinary research activities. To cater to this, collaboration is suggested within HEI clusters and with industries and/or government organisations. The UGC may finalise the regulations by May this year, after considering the suggestions received from the stakeholders.
A striking feature of this draft is the absence of Health education subjects, except under the ‘General Conditions’, where the Medical Council of India (MCI) and the Dental Council of India (DCI) are listed with other councils like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Source | The Hindu | 4 April 2022
Regards!
Librarian
Rizvi Institute of Management
No comments:
Post a Comment