UGC draft guidelines of mandatory internships for UG students released; invites feedback

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has released draft guidelines related to internships for undergraduate degrees. The Commission has released draft guidelines and has invited suggestions/ feedback before November 12.

“As part of the NEP-2020 implementation, it was decided to have a robust mechanism for internships/research internships for undergraduate students in HEIs to enhance employability and develop the research aptitude of an individual. With this objective, the guidelines for internships/research internships for undergraduate students in view of the curriculum and credit framework for undergraduate programmes (CCFUP) have been developed,” UGC said in an official notice.

Activities, suggested duration along with a corresponding number of credits of internship programme. (Source: UGC)

For students who are pursuing a three-year undergraduate course, an internship of 60 to 120 hours will be made compulsory after the completion of their fourth semester. The students who will pursue a four year undergraduate degree, the internship will be made compulsory after the eighth semester. These internships will help students earn up to 12 credits.

As per the draft guidelines, the internships will be of two types — one will be aimed at employability and others aimed at developing an aptitude for research.