Higher Education – RUSA, NIRF, HEFA, etc.

Four-year UG Program formally launched in Kerala

Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 2: Governance, Transparency & Accountability, Citizens Charters
Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Four-year undergraduate program

Why in the News?

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurated the curriculum of Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUP) in the state, stressing that it is in line with changes in the Global Education System where the focus is equally on imparting knowledge as well as the transfer of skills and vocational training.

About Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP):

Parameters Details
Key features 
  • Students can choose their major and minor subjects freely, for example science students can pursue humanities courses.
  • Provision for students to complete the degree in 2.5 years if they secure the required credits.
  • Offers 16 FYUP honors programs with research across science, arts, commerce and business streams at the University of Kerala.
FYUP curriculum
  • It is designed to provide students with knowledge, intellectual abilities, multidisciplinary perspectives, flexible skills, social commitment and research aptitude to make them responsible citizens and offer multiple opportunities in research and employment
  • Includes online courses, skill development, internships and research projects.
Eligibility criteria
  • Students need a CGPA of 7.5 or above to advance to the 4th year and get an honors degree with research.
  •  Admission based on 12th marks for now, entrance exam planned from next year.

Administrative and Technological Upgrades required:

  • Regulatory Revisions: Plans for a comprehensive revision of University Acts and Regulations to streamline academic processes and enhance efficiency.
  • K-REAP Initiative: Introduction of Kerala Resources for Education Administration and Planning (K-REAP), a governance software to centralize institutional activities.

Issues with FYUP Program

  • Implementation Challenges: The introduction of the FYUP faced logistical and administrative hurdles, impacting its rollout across Kerala’s higher educational institutions.
  • Curriculum Adaptation: Critics argue that the FYUP’s curriculum overhaul lacks sufficient alignment with industry needs and fails to adequately prepare students for real-world challenges.
  • Student Adaptation: Some students and educators have expressed concerns about the abrupt shift in academic structure and its impact on learning outcomes and student performance.
  • Evaluation Methods: There is ongoing debate over the effectiveness of the FYUP’s assessment methods, with some stakeholders questioning its ability to accurately gauge student knowledge and skills.
  • Policy Revisions: Continuous revisions and adjustments to the FYUP’s policies and regulations are needed to address evolving educational needs and feedback from various stakeholders.

New Education Policy (NEP), 2020:

  • The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 introduced by the Government of India aims to transform the educational landscape of the country.
  • One of the key changes in the NEP is the restructuring of the duration and framework of undergraduate programs.
  • The NEP 2020 introduces a four-year undergraduate program as a standard duration for bachelor’s degrees, replacing the traditional three-year format.
  • Students can exit the program at different stages with a qualification. For example:
    • After 1 Year: Certificate
    • After 2 Years: Diploma
    • After 3 Years: Bachelor’s Degree
    • After 4 Years: Bachelor’s Degree with Research

 

PYQ:

[2015] The quality of higher education in India requires major improvement to make it internationally competitive. Do you think that the entry of foreign educational institutions would help improve the quality of technical and higher education in the country. Discuss.

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