Maharashtra forms new body to ensure effective implementation of NEP 2020 in higher education
In addition to creating a common calendar for all universities across the state, it will be responsible for creating an effective mechanism of credit transfer and academic equivalence among various programs offered by several universities to ensure smooth exchange as well as entry and exit options.
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This seven-member committee will include Vice Chancellor (VC) of 5 state universities selected on the basis of their NAAC Accreditation score and VC of Sir J J School of Art, Architecture and Applied Art. A new body titled ‘Maharashtra State Academic and Research Council’ (MahaSARC) will be set up to implement novel academic flexibility for higher education envisioned under the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. In addition to creating a common calendar for all universities across the state, it will be responsible for creating an effective mechanism of credit transfer and academic equivalence among various programs offered by several universities to ensure smooth exchange as well as entry and exit options.
Maharashtra’s higher and technical education department made the announcement via Government Resolution (GR) issued on Wednesday. As per the GR, the MahaSARC will function as apex authority for dealing with academic matters related to higher education and will serve as an advisory body for the Maharashtra State Commission for Higher Education and Development (MAHED), which is chaired by the Chief Minister. The MahaSARC will advise the government on policies for promotion of research.
Elaborating on key responsibilities of this body, the GR states that in order to ensure seamless student mobility between or within universities, the MahaSARC will lay down a Common Academic Calendar (CAC) for every academic year. It will create a conducive atmosphere for the students to pursue different courses and programmes from different universities as well as for lateral entry at different levels and for multiple entry and exit options. The MahaSARC will develop clear guidelines and processes for establishing academic equivalences and Credit Transfer Mechanisms for the mobility of students among various universities of the state. This will ensure academic equivalence across various modules, courses and different modes of teaching and learning process. The curricular framework guidelines issued by the MahaSARC shall be binding on all State Public Universities (SPU) and Autonomous Colleges in Maharashtra. It will also work out the procedures, policies, and practices to introduce a more flexible approach to education and an ‘adaptive pace of learning.’ Further, it will develop guidelines on promoting co-operation and coordination of the various state universities among themselves not only for students’ benefits but also to create vibrant research and innovation culture through collaborations and co-optation among state universities.”
This seven-member committee will include Vice Chancellor (VC) of 5 state universities selected on the basis of their NAAC Accreditation score and VC of Sir J J School of Art, Architecture and Applied Art. One of them will be selected as chairperson of the body for a tenure of one year. The GR also highlighted that the MahaSARC will co-opt or invite experts from eminent national institutes, industry sectors, and diverse fields for carrying out the varied tasks.
Dashboard for date on colleges, varsities
Maharashtra’s higher and technical education minister Chandrakant Patil on Thursday launched a ‘Dashboard’ developed by the Higher and Technical Education Department to make the latest and relevant details of universities and colleges in the state available at one place. This dashboard includes information on admission process related to universities, results, scholarships, hostels, fees and affiliations related to colleges and educational facilities as well as public libraries, all on one platform. This dashboard includes 26 public universities and Maharashtra State Board of Technical Education and in future all private and public universities in the state will be included in the dashboard. Students across state can be benefited in taking informed decisions regarding their higher education by referring to the information available on this dashboard.
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