entral universities (CUs) across India are making significant strides in implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, as highlighted in a meeting of Vice-Chancellors chaired by Prof M. Jagadesh Kumar, Chairman of UGC, on Tuesday. The meeting was live-streamed on all UGC social media platforms to ensure that all other universities could watch and learn from their experiences.
“It is heartening to note that CUs have made considerable progress in adopting and implementing some of the pertinent provisions of NEP-2020. All CUs have registered their institutions on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) portal and are also onboarding their students on the portal so that their credentials can be uploaded in a smooth manner.” Prof Kumar told The Daily Guardian.
The ABC platform, virtual database for credits, that stores online the academic credits earned by each student individually. As mandated in NEP 2020, the initiative is meant to facilitate credit transfer of students, allowing them to move across streams and higher education institutions with ease.
During the interaction with the CUs the UGC chairman it was learnt that most universities have adopted the guidelines of multiple entry and exit at the undergraduate and postgraduate level as per the NEP.
“CUs have implemented the necessary changes in their ordinances to PG, UG, and UG-PG integrated programmes for multiple entrance-exit, permitting flexible entry and exit points by removing strict limits to facilitate new opportunities for lifetime learning enrolled for academic credits bank portal.” Prof Kumar told this newspaper.
The meeting also concluded that the UG admissions are taking place under CUETs by all the CUs.
“The curricula of the academic programmes have been revised to incorporate multidisciplinary aspects, skill components, value education, and contemporary relevance for the community, society, and the nation. The universities have also introduced more certificates, diplomas, and UG/PG programmes in vocational education. The CUs have formulated skill enhancement courses comprising soft and technical skills for the all-round development of the learners.” Kumar further added.
According to the NEP, Internship programmes with credits are to be allowed for students, taking into account their fields and preferences. The universities have also been asked to promote research and internship amongst students.