In news- As part of National Education Policy, University Grants Commission(UGC) has released the draft National Higher Educational Qualification (NHEQ) Framework recently.
About NHEQ Framework-
- Its purpose is to bring up/elevate all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to a common level of benchmarking to ensure that all institutions are providing quality education.
- It envisages the award of certificates, diplomas and degrees based on what students completing a particular programme of study are expected to know, understand and be able to do at the end of their programme of study.
- It is characterized by six levels based on the complexity of learning outcomes.
- At every level, the students will be assessed based on parameters, including
- Knowledge and understanding of theory.
- Cognitive and technical skills.
- Application of knowledge and skills.
- Decision-making abilities.
- Constitutional, humanistic, ethical and moral values.
- Employment-ready skills and the entrepreneurship mindset.
- In line with the structure outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), the draft NHEQF also fixes the number of credits required to clear the different levels of the four-year undergraduate programme, masters’ degrees and doctoral degrees.
- Those looking to exit the undergraduate programme with a certificate will require 40 credits; with a diploma after two years will need 80 credits; degree after three years will have a requirement of 120 credits; degree with honours/research after four years with 160 credits.
- One credit is equivalent to one hour of teaching (lecture or tutorial) or two hours of practical work/fieldwork per week.
- However, the UGC has clarified that the framework is not intended to promote a uniform curriculum or national common syllabus.
Source: The Indian Express
