Universities to offer four-year degree courses from next year: Minister

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday directed all vice chancellors to make the universities self-reliant by starting private courses on the lines of self-financed institutions

Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Thursday directed all vice chancellors to make the universities self-reliant by starting private courses on the lines of self-financed institutions.

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Meanwhile, higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil said there is no option for the universities but to offer four-year degree courses from June next year as mandated under the National Education Policy (NEP).

Koshyari chaired a meeting of vice chancellors from 20 non-agricultural universities at Raj Bhavan to discuss the changes required for the NEP implementation. Chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis were also present.

The governor called upon the vice chancellors to make the universities ‘Atma Nirbhar’ to achieve the goal of ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’. “Many private universities are doing enough by adopting self-finance methods and distance education programmes. The state universities can also do that by starting private courses and make themselves self-reliant.”

Patil warned of action for not rolling out four-year degree courses from 2023. “Those failing to do so will have to face action.” He also said the state government will constitute a committee of retired vice chancellors to address the concerns over NEP.

What is a four-year degree course?

Under NEP, a four-year degree course is actually not a degree course but an honors course. It means the student will get its degree after completing a three-year course but if he or she continues with the fourth year then they can obtain an honors degree. The students will have an exit option after completing each year. After the first year, the student can take a break and can again take admission in the second year even after a gap of five years. After completing the second year, the student will get a diploma certificate; a degree for completing three years; and an honors degree after four years.