UGC Urges Universities and Colleges to ‘Actively’ Participate in Unnat Bharat Abhiyan for Rural Development

Under the UBA program, HEIs work closely with local authorities to adapt existing technologies and create new solutions tailored to rural needs, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of government schemes.

The University Grants Commission (UGC), through a letter from its Secretary, Prof. Manish R. Joshi, has urged Vice Chancellors and college principals across the country to participate in the Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), a flagship program under the Ministry of Education. This initiative aims to engage higher education institutions (HEIs) in fostering societal transformation and rural development.

In his letter, Prof. Joshi highlights the alignment of UBA with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which places societal outreach and community engagement as key priorities for HEIs. The UGC introduced the "Community Engagement and Social Responsibility" course on the SWAYAM platform, designed to equip students with the skills necessary for meaningful rural engagement.

Under the UBA program, HEIs work closely with local authorities to adapt existing technologies and create new solutions tailored to rural needs, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of government schemes. Registration for UBA remains open year-round, and institutions can register through the UBA website. Additionally, institutions already registered are encouraged to submit proposals to the UGC’s Subject Expert Group on Curriculum Reforms and Social Responsibility by October 30, 2024, via the UBA Proposal Submission Portal. The UGC's letter underscores the transformative potential of UBA, inviting HEIs to make a tangible difference in India's rural communities.