New Delhi: The University Grants Commission on Thursday approved a set of guidelines for the introduction of short-term skill development courses in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), specifying the course and fee structure among many other things.
The 14-point document was approved by UGC in the meeting on Thursday.
UGC chairman M Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar said, "In today's commission meeting, UGC approved the Guidelines for the Introduction of Short-Term Skill Development Courses in Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs). We will soon be making this draft for public feedback."
"The document mentions that anyone who has passed the 10+2/Senior Secondary Examination or its equivalent and is eligible for admission to any undergraduate programme of the HEI will be eligible. The HEI shall offer credit-linked short-term skill development certificate courses of 3-6 months," the UGC chairman said.
The document also talks about the establishment of a centre in HEIs for skill development courses and how the centre can be established.
As per the document which is yet to be made public, the short-term skill development courses will provide holistic and specialized education with a focus on practical training, enabling individuals to "acquire hands-on experience and develop a deep understanding of industry practices and standards to enhance the employability of learners through skill development".
The guidelines also asked HEIs to establish an Advisory Committee comprising the Centre Director as Chairman and eminent persons as members (from within or outside the HEI).
The institutes can establish centres on their own or through a memorandum of understanding with industry partners.
The maximum student intake in one short-term skill development course should not exceed 60 for each cohort.
