3 min readMumbaiApr 23, 2023 02:33 PM IST
First published on: Apr 23, 2023 at 05:23 AM IST
The state government has finally set the plan rolling for 4-year undergraduate (UG) courses in universities and colleges across Maharashtra. With the new system expected to change the way students plan higher education, a major challenge for the institutions will be to create awareness.
A government resolution (GR) issued earlier this week revealed details about the structure and implementation policy of the 4-year UG courses to be offered by universities and colleges.
The first phase is applicable only to courses offered under arts, commerce and science stream. It will begin with the upcoming academic year (2023-24). The new course structure, as recommended under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, will allow multiple entry and exit options. It will provide students with an opportunity to select from a bouquet of courses in various forms such as major, minor and electives from different institutions along with flexibility to switch between alternative modes of learning.
In Mumbai, many institutes have welcomed the move.
“All this is new for students as degree admissions until now meant taking admission to one college for a UG course after class XII. Students then thought about specialisation during the course. As we begin with the new structure, the first-ever batch may end up taking all courses at a single college as they learn about the new structure during the course,” said Dr. Anushree Lokur, Principal, Ramnarain Ruia College.
Reiterating the need for awareness, Dr. Madhav Rajwade, Principal, Sathaye College, said, “All UG courses are not going directly to 4-year structure. But all 3-year courses too will see radical changes in curricular requirements – starting from flexibility of choosing courses to field-work or internships for all students from all courses, which has not been part of traditional courses in Maharashtra so far. Colleges and universities have understood the new structures as they worked on an action plan for its implementation. But for students, everything is going to change starting from admissions to even fee structures. With an option of a bouquet of courses, the fee-structure will no longer be like before.”
The Mithibai College has already started preparing student resource documents and new prospectus to include all the details. “The government has put the responsibility of students’ awareness on institutions. Even as we feel that in the first year, most students will be sticking to one college, they have to be oriented on how to choose from a bouquet of courses,” said Principal Dr. Krutika Desai.
The college is also planning an online lecture before admissions.
The college is also planning an online lecture before admissions. 
Share
