Exclusive Interview: UGC Chairman M Kumar on NEP 2020, UGC NET Syllabus, Asst Prof Jobs, Suicide Cases in Univ & more

*This interview was first posted on May 30, 2024, by Arpta Singh*
"University Grants Commission (UGC) with a multi-faceted approach will soon appoint UGC NET scholars and other qualified scholars to fill up the vacant positions at universities, colleges and other institutes" - UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar told Shiksha.com in an exclusive interview. Read on for more.

Another important concern among youth related to education is academic job vacancies in higher institutes. More than 60% of faculty positions including Professors, Associate Professors and Assistant Professors in State Universities, Central Universities and other institutes are lying vacant. UGC with a multi-faceted approach will soon appoint UGC NET and other qualified scholars to fill up these vacant positions at universities, colleges and other institutes. This information has been shared with Shiksha by UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar in an exclusive interview.

More from the interview below. Read further for details and insights from Mr M Jagadesh Kumar on implementation of NEP 2020 in Karnataka, objectives behind revising the UGC NET syllabus, obtaining PhD degrees by unfair means, rising gender-based violence, ragging and suicide cases at higher institutes, job vacancies in academics, etc.

Shiksha: What is your take on the Karnataka government's decision to scrap National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and introduce State Education Policy (SEP) in the state? How is it going to impact the quality of higher education in the state?

UGC Chairman: It is unfortunate that the State Government is opposing the student-centric provisions of the National Education Policy 2020. The NEP 2020 has been prepared with multiple levels of discussion with stakeholders, including the State and UT Governments, Universities, Local Government bodies and other Regulatory bodies across the country. The Policy is not imposed mindlessly on any State or Union Territory. Universities and colleges are also being encouraged to design and revamp their curricula.

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The NEP 2020 gives freedom, flexibility, and choices to students through its various provisions. The Academic Bank of Credits aim at digitising the credit accumulation, transfer, and redemption easily. The Credit Framework integrates various levels of education and makes it easy for institutions to accommodate students on different levels of education. The four-year UG programme gives students the benefit of research in the fourth year along with more internship opportunities. The National Higher Education Qualifications Framework (NHEQF) brings institutions on a common level of benchmarking by describing the learning outcomes of the qualifications. By denying all the initiatives and their benefits, the State Government is keeping students from the latest trends of higher education in India and across the globe.

The State Government must consider this and not let the students suffer due to non-academic opposition to the National Education Policy 2020.

Shiksha: The fundamental principle of NEP 2020 is to lay emphasis on conceptual understanding rather than rote learning. How is UGC planning to implement this principle in higher education as there are still fact-based questions asked in UGC NET and many other one-day exams as well?

UGC Chairman: To align with the principles of NEP 2020, UGC is actively reviewing and revising examination patterns, including UGC NET and other one-day exams. The aim is to progressively transition from fact-based questions to assessments that evaluate deeper comprehension, critical thinking, and application of knowledge.

If you look at the evolving system of examination worldwide, for example, instead of asking for straightforward facts, questions may require candidates to analyse and interpret information. Questions may be designed to assess the candidate's ability to critically evaluate information. Assessments can focus on the practical application of knowledge. Incorporating case studies where candidates need to apply theoretical knowledge to analyse and propose solutions to real-world situations. This challenges them to go beyond memorisation and demonstrate an understanding of how concepts work in practical contexts, daily lives, and markets. By introducing these types of questions, UGC aims to assess not only the recall of information but also the ability to comprehend, critically analyse, and apply knowledge in diverse contexts. This aligns with the broader educational goals of promoting a deeper understanding of subjects and cultivating critical thinking skills among students.

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This process is being conducted collaboratively with educators and experts to ensure a seamless integration of this new evaluation system, promoting a more holistic and skill-oriented approach to higher education assessment.

Shiksha: NEP 2020 focuses on outstanding research for education and development. How will UGC promote research in higher education among students?

UGC Chairman: Research and innovation are an inseparable part of education. NEP 2020 envisages the promotion of quality research within the Higher Education system. With the recent announcement of the National Research Foundation (NRF), we aim to address India’s persistent gap in research and development investments and foster a strong research environment within higher education institutions. The NRF will catalyse and channel interdisciplinary research for accelerating India’s ambitious development agenda, through impactful knowledge creation and translation. The NRF aims to promote interdisciplinary research that will address India's most pressing development challenges. It will also help minimise duplication of research efforts and promote the translation of research into policy and practice.

Another initiative by the UGC is to establish the Research & Development (R&D) Cell on the campuses of higher educational institutions. These UGC Guidelines provide a clear road map for establishing R&D Cells with its objectives and functions. The R&D Cells will help create a conducive environment for enhanced research productivity, encourage collaboration across industry, government, community-based organisations, and agencies at the local, national, and international levels and facilitate greater access to research through the mobilisation of resources and funding.

Shiksha: In recent times, a lot of cases of scholars acquiring PhD degrees by unfair means and not devoting the required time and hard work for the research work has been reported. What is your opinion on the same and what should be done to stop such practices?

UGC Chairman: UGC has formed an Expert Committee to deal with such cases. The Committee will periodically assess faculty appointments in universities and the awards of PhD degrees by the universities. The Committee would also verify documents to ascertain whether processes are in compliance with UGC regulations. If the appointments are not in line with the UGC Regulations, appropriate action in case of violations would be taken against such institutions. The UGC will either debar, cease the funding, and even derecognise the status of such institutions.

Shiksha: In each UGC NET cycle, lakhs of students appear for the UGC NET exam which is far more than the Assistant Professors job vacancies in Colleges and Universities. How is UGC going to utilize all such PhD and UGC NET-qualified scholars in academics? Is there any plan to increase job opportunities in universities and colleges?

UGC Chairman: The number of more than nine lakhs of students appearing for the NET exam shows their enthusiasm to go into academics and contribute to quality teaching and pedagogy. The numbers show that these qualified scholars hold immense potential to strengthen our education system. Unfortunately, a pressing challenge that lies in front of the country is that there are more than 60% of faculty vacancies in State Universities, Central Universities, and other institutions lying vacant. Addressing this gap requires a multi-faceted approach. UGC is in constant touch with the State government universities to fill up these vacancies and appoint qualified scholars as the faculty.

Shiksha: UGC recently announced the revision of the UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) syllabus. What's the main objective behind it and is it related to National Education Policy (NEP) 2020?

UGC Chairman: UGC will form an Expert Committee and undertake the revision of the NET syllabus. The National Education Policy 2020 proposes reforms in various examinations and evaluation systems as well. One of the objectives is to align the syllabus with multidisciplinary and holistic education. The last time the NET syllabus was revised was in 2017. Since then, a lot of things have changed in academics, teaching, and learning. It is time that these changes are also reflected suitably in our examination system. The appointed Expert Committee will consider all the changes and propose the revamping of the syllabus accordingly. However, candidates will be given sufficient time before this new syllabus is introduced in UGC-NET so that the transition happens smoothly. UGC is confident that these changes will better prepare our aspirants for the diverse challenges and opportunities of the future.

Shiksha: How is UGC going to provide a holistic education approach in higher education?

UGC Chairman: One of the ways to provide holistic education is through the revamping of the syllabus of our higher educational institutions and adding more components to it. Learning cannot be restricted to classrooms if the learners are not exposed to other practices, such as internships, project works, experiential learning, hands-on training, and apprenticeships. Recognising this, UGC introduced the Curriculum and Credit Framework for Undergraduate Programmes (CCFUP), enabling four-year UG in higher educational institutions. The provision aims to develop learners holistically by allowing credits from all types of learning activities. There can be more aspects of holistic education and the UGC has published several Guidelines and Regulations accordingly.

Shiksha: What is UGC's latest measure to curb the increasing number of gender-based violence, ragging and suicide cases in Universities and Colleges?

UGC Chairman: UGC has put in place strict regulations for the prevention of ragging and other extremely harmful incidents. UGC has a dedicated anti-ragging cell which looks after all the complaints of the same. It is mandatory for all higher educational institutions to implement the measures given in the UGC Regulations. UGC also writes to the Vice-Chancellors, Principals, and Directors of the higher educational institutions informing them that it is necessary to form an anti-ragging committee, anti-ragging squad, or anti-ragging cell on the campus. Along with this, institutions should also organise seminars and workshops for the sensitisation of the students and the faculty. In extreme ragging and suicide cases, UGC will also call the Principal of the college, and the registrar of the university and they will be answerable to the National Anti-Ragging Monitoring Committee. Students can also call the National Anti-Ragging Helpline No. 1800-180-5522 anytime and raise their complaints.

UGC has also published Guidelines for a Safe & Secure Environment for Women on campus and for the establishment of Women Cells. The higher educational institutions are expected to provide professional counselling services, helpline numbers, easy access to basic sanitation and hygiene facilities, reliable and safe transit within the campus, female security guards, a primary health care centre along with an ambulance facility, CCTV coverage, hostels, Internal Complaints Committee, zero-tolerance policy concerning sexual harassment and gender-based discrimination. It also recommends conducting gender sensitisation seminars, contests, debates, promotion of gender-inclusive curriculum, vocational skills and entrepreneurship development, and scholarships for women.

Shiksha: What's your message to students who are unable to deal with failure in exams? What should be the students’ approach while handling failure in exams?

UGC Chairman: We must end the stigma associated with failure. Failure in one exam does not mean that the student is a failure for life. There is no such thing as a loser or failure. You always learn from your doing. They are learners and not losers. Every experience, including the setbacks, brings you the opportunity to learn and grow. The journey of education is filled with twists and turns, and facing challenges is an integral part of it. I encourage students to view failures as stepping stones to success, to embrace the lessons learned, and to approach future endeavours with resilience and determination. They are not to be defined by one single exam or a setback. They hold much more potential than that.

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