Edited by: Damini Solanki
Last updated time: 17 March 2023, 15:22 IST
The aim of these courses is to attract international students to India (Representative Image)
The guidelines offer specially prepared courses according to the credit modular program structure that can be implemented by higher education institutions (HEIs).
The University Grants Commission (UGC) on March 16 issued draft guidelines for introduction of courses based on Indian heritage and culture in Indian institutions. The decision comes in light of the emphasis of the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) on promoting Indian heritage and culture. . The framework introduced by the statutory body is for courses like Ayurveda, Classical Dance Forms, Indian Languages, Music, Sanskrit, Universal Human Values, Vedic Mathematics and Yoga.
The aim of these courses is to attract international students to India. The guidelines offer specially prepared courses according to the credit modular program structure that can be implemented by higher education institutions (HEIs).
The UGC has introduced short-term credit modular programs with multiple entries and exits to “increase the interest of people abroad to visit India”. Depending on how strict the structure of the curriculum is and the degree of learning outcomes of the relevant subjects, the courses can be of three levels:
– Introductory level
– Middle level
– High level
The UGC has permitted the concerned HEIs offering courses to set specific eligibility conditions.
The guidelines suggest a total duration of 60 hours for each program. They can be covered in a flexible and hybrid (online-offline combination) mode.
The draft guidelines advise HEIs to develop the curriculum of the program taking into account such indicators as the tradition and background of the study area, important literature and texts, contributions of learned scholars, main positions and schools of thought.
The modules should also be designed keeping in mind the modern use of teaching. Thus, HEIs should pay attention to important applied aspects and connect with the modern education system while creating the program.
Teaching tools and methods include lectures, audio-video content, group discussions, practical classes and excursions, etc.
Two types of assessment should be used to award credit to learners, continuous and comprehensive assessment (CCA) and periodic assessment.
The draft UGC guidelines further states: “On successful completion of the course at each level, the learners will be awarded the certificates prescribed by the Institutions. The certificates so awarded will be available digitally through the National Academic Depository (NAD), Government of India.”
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