UGC Chairman: Online Education to Change Role of Teachers and Universities

New Delhi: In a recent interview, UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar spoke at length about a wide range of topics, including everything from the need for digital universities, online courses, and option to customise courses as per NEP.

Virtual Universities and Online Courses

According to the Chairman, there is a need for virtual universities now as it is more flexible and will allow students to customise their courses. It will come in handy for working individuals who wish to gain more skills while on the job.

To this end, the UGC is planning to aid the existing HEIs to commence online courses and increase the number of HEIs that do so. The chairman also spoke about a need for a digital university based on a 'Hubs and Spoke' model.

UGC: Universities Can Offer E-Courses in Collaboration With Edtech Firms

He also addressed the concern that general perception is that online or distance degrees are not of the same value as a conventional degree gained through physical mode. The chairman mentioned that recent hiring practices are becoming more skill-oriented than degree oriented. In addition to this, he mentioned that the reputation of the university offering online courses will also play a huge role.

Online Degrees Will Result in Loss of Jobs in Physical Universities and Colleges

This concern does not hold any ground, according to Prof. Mr Jagdish Kumar. This is because there is a large number of vacancies in universities all over India; even the IITs have over 30% vacant faculty posts.

However, with the onset of digital education, the job role of a teacher or a professor is also going to change. They will have to master digital tools and become tech-savvy. Moreover, teachers will also have to convert their intellectual knowledge into digital resources.

UGC to Allow Industry Experts without PhD to Teach in Central Universities

Hubs and Spoke Model of Virtual University

The chairman explained that the hub of the Virtual university will be mainly administrative and provide technical support. The hub will also form partnerships with prominent universities in India and abroad. The hub will be responsible for selecting the topmost digital courses offered by prominent faculty at these universities - they will form the spokes.

Assistance to Students in Selecting Courses

There will be a model curriculum that will include three compulsory courses. Students will have the option to customise the rest of the curriculum according to academic interests. However, UGC will also set credit requirements, based on which students will have to design their curriculum. The UGC will also guide the students throughout the whole process.

Provisions for NEP in Virtual Universities

The NEP has implemented various provisions in the case of virtual universities. For instance, students will have the option of multiple entry and exit. For instance, they can study for the first semester, choose to apply for a job for the next semester. They can come back again and continue their studies in the third semester. Students will also be able to accumulate academic credits.

Will Multidisciplinary Programs Dilute Core Structure of Specialised Institutions?

According to the Chairman, this is highly unlikely. For example, if IIT Delhi can partner with AIIMS to provide a joint degree in biomedical engineering. In that case, the engineering component will be provided by IIT Delhi whereas AIIMS will manage the medical component.

UGC Draft Guidelines Released for Multidisciplinary Education

Autonomous Colleges Can Now Offer Online Courses

Autonomous colleges that want to offer online courses can only do so after meeting the parameters set by NAAC and NIRF. The main advantage of this is autonomous colleges will now work on bettering their infrastructure, improving faculty and teaching quality to get a place within NIRF Ranking.

Colleges that do not have a NAAC Grade of 3.26 or a NIRF Ranking will have to apply separately.