Opinion Dual degree nod opens a new chapter

Students willing to study further can convert their existing diploma to full-fledged degrees.

August 16, 2013 02:12 AM IST First published on: Aug 16, 2013 at 02:12 AM IST

The University Grants Commissions recent nod to dual degree programmes in Indian universities and institutions is a much-awaited step towards bringing in greater flexibility in Indias higher education system.

Shackled by over-regulation and stiff compartmentalisation,higher education in India neither does justice to nor allows space for diverse interests and creative leanings that an Indian student may harbour. In the 21st century where disciplines have integrated in once unimaginable ways and jobs increasingly demand multi-dimensional skills,the Indian student cannot legally pursue two degree courses simultaneously even if he may have shown considerable ability and will to do so. Students who may be willing to study more so that they can convert their existing diploma or certificate courses to full-fledged degrees are stonewalled by varsity regulations that permit no such thing.

Contrast this with education systems in many western nations that permit one to become a student say of medicine after years of working as an engineer. Students in many progressive universities have the liberty to take up diverse disciplines,earn credits for these,finally weigh their options and inclinations and choose to specialise in another discipline altogether.

The UGC dual-degree approval finally offers a skylight of hope and possibility,even though it has stopped short of expanding this opportunity further. Giving in to universities that argued that permitting pursuit of more than two degree courses simultaneously would run into administrative and logistic problems,the education regulator has stuck to no more than two degrees at a time one of which will have to be on distance mode.

The bigger challenge though is implementation of regulations such as these. The much talked of semester system and credit transfer system to which all our universities were advised to switch to are yet to be effectively implemented on the ground. The bulk of our universities still function on annual mode and credit transfers remain part of cerebral discussions. How then will a student come by the dual degree which a varsity can only offer after it amends its ordinance?

The two key players at the level of the regulator and at the level of the institution have to necessarily work in tandem and coordination so that the much-admired academic quality and flexibility of top-notch global institutes can finally reach Indian students as well.

Anubhuti is an assistant editor based in Delhi

Anubhuti.vishnoi@expressindia.com