Get placement-focused recognised degrees online: Myth or reality?

The latest UGC regulations have made way for a new model of learning, providing flexible education opportunities to lakhs of students. In India, the degree programmes are granted approval by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Until now, the legal guidelines existed for regular and open/distance learning programmes only. But the recent UGC Regulations released in February and September 2020 will enable validation of online degree programmes too. So now, you can stay fully assured of the credibility and reliability of pursuing your preferred course online. With the new rules in place, you will get a government recognised degree by completing the required education at the comfort of your home.

The inclusion of online mode is a result of the government’s aim to improve enrolment in higher education. At present, India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the sector is less than 30 per cent, which means more than 70 per cent of eligible youth do not opt for higher education studies. The online programmes will let you continue your education with ease and convenience. Further, the government’s digitisation initiatives will make learning more effective.

At present, India’s Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in the sector is less than 30 per cent, which means more than 70 per cent of eligible youth do not opt for higher education studies. The online programmes will let you continue your education with ease and convenience.

Before choosing your next course, here are some important things you would want to know about the UGC-approved online degrees:

1. Providers of online education

UGC mandates certain criteria for higher education institutions to provide online degree programmes. A college or university can launch online programmes for their prevailing degrees if:

• It is featured in the NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) list of the top 100 universities at least twice in the previous three years.

 or

• It is rated A+ by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council).

In other words, online degrees can be issued by the reputed institutes of the country. And the good news is that over 200 universities are eligible to run their undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in an online format. Besides, the ones that don’t fulfil the above-mentioned requirements can also get programme-specific approval through an application procedure. Hence, these authority-specified conditions will let you know the genuine degree from a fake one.

On similar lines, the government plans to open up our education system to foreign universities. This will give a further boost to the entire online structure.

2. Quality of online programmes

Quality of education impacts the overall value of any formal degree programme. Students need to acquire the requisite knowledge for a bright professional future and learn real-world industry skills in degree programmes. So, the authorities have established a standard framework for ensuring the quality of online learning. Every eligible institute is required to:

• Set up a ‘Centre for Internal Quality Assurance’ that will supervise all the remote programmes.

• Build the course curriculum, content, information resources, and teaching methods as per the ‘Quality Assurance Guidelines’ laid by UGC.

• Impart the training to the teachers, mentors, and staff at periodic intervals. As online education aims to make the students ‘job-ready’, it is bound to be quality-driven and industry-oriented.

3. Development of programme curriculum

The curricular structure of online programmes includes e-learning sources and related content. For a long, it was assumed that virtual learning could not replace classroom learning. While this was true of some online platforms, yet some others used advanced technology to overcome the gap. In order to bring the online mode at par with the conventional mode of teaching, UGC regulations state an accurate four-quadrant approach for programme curriculum. This model basically refers to the following four components of online learning:

• Video Lectures
• Downloadable/printable Reading Material
• Assignments and Tests
• Discussion Forums for doubts clarification

E-learning materials are more cost-efficient than other forms of study content. Alongside that, it is way simpler to update the digital content compared to its physical format. Further, at least 60 per cent of the e-content needs to be developed by the institute's faculty members, and the remaining can be procured from the recognised e-resources like SWAYAM.

4. Source of online learning

The online programmes will be delivered through SWAYAM or other government-approved portals. To be legally valid, the chosen platform must meet the needs of the above-mentioned our-quadrant approach. The institute will set clear rules for students' internet etiquette during online group discussions, chats, and other learning activities. In addition, technical assistance will be provided to learners who face problems while using the portal. The institute will have special ‘learner support centres’ for all sorts of administrative help.

To be legally valid, the chosen platform must meet the needs of the above-mentioned our-quadrant approach. The institute will set clear rules for students' internet etiquette during online group discussions, chats, and other learning activities.

Several reputed universities like Chandigarh University relay their online degree programmes through the popular online platform upGrad. Here, the students can select personalised learning tracks as per their long-term career goals. Throughout the course, individual feedback sessions are held for a productive learning experience and students' growth. Apart from the subject knowledge, aspirants are trained and mentored for their desired job profile and industry.

5. Mode of exams

The exams for online programmes will be conducted in proctored computer-based mode. Simply put, you have to complete your exams within a given time limit. As the programmes don’t have any territorial restrictions, you can take the exams at any place. Alternatively, the institute may hold exams at specific centres with the required facilities. UGC prescribes two types of assessments: continuous/formative and summative/end-semester exams, with a maximum of 30 per cent weightage allotted to the former. At the same time, there will be periodic tests to check the critical thinking skills of learners. Further, the marking criteria must match the standards followed by conventional education mode.

Alternatively, the institute may hold exams at specific centres with the required facilities. UGC prescribes two types of assessments: continuous/formative and summative/end-semester exams, with a maximum of 30 per cent weightage allotted to the former.

Considering the wide range of evaluation options present in the online system, the corresponding assessment structure is likely to prove highly efficient in tracking students' progress. Even the students can monitor their learning through self-assessment modules. On the whole, the whole examination framework is to be renewed with a greater focus on application-based knowledge.

6. Enrolment criteria

Online programmes are open to students residing within and outside India. UGC imposes no restriction on these courses in terms of territorial jurisdiction. Similar to the regular programmes, the admissions will be offered on the basis of minimum educational qualification, entrance test, and related parameters. However, the entry criteria will be relatively relaxed for online programmes.

The number of seats under these programmes is expected to be much more than full-time courses. Besides, the institutes are directed to keep the online course fee affordable for students from all sections of society. The essential documents like admission notices, prospectus, counselling schedules, results, etc., will be uploaded on the institute’s website itself. So, you can easily access the necessary information as well as pay the fee from your home only.

7. Outcome of online programmes

Post completion of the programme, the relevant institute/university will issue the undergraduate/postgraduate degree certificates to the students. The record of these awards will be kept in a ‘National Academic Depository’. As in the full-time programmes, the students will be rewarded suitable credits for online programmes each semester. 

Online programmes are set to change the Indian education system in all aspects. These hold the potential to attain world-class education standards. With faster and better technology tools, the country will soon produce skilled youth in great numbers. As the latest regulations confirm online degree programs' authenticity, more and more students will take up the virtual route to education. Armed with modern skills, the students will be able to explore valuable career options in top-level organisations.

 

Note: The views expressed in this article are that of the institute and do not reflect/represent those of Shiksha