UGC introduces credit system in distance education courses

Chennai: Like the regular courses, the University Grants Commission has introduced credit system for open and distance learning courses in its new regulations which were released recently.

As per the norms, the three-year bachelor's degree offered through distance mode will have 96 to 100 credits while the two years master's degree programme will have 64 to 72 credits.

It has awarded the credit value for the practical sessions, counselling sessions, self-learning materials and study input.

“The choice based credit system is the best change for the distance mode courses. If a candidate is not in a position to study all the subjects in a particular semester, he can reduce the number of subjects he wants to study,” said P.Duraisamy, Vice-Chancellor, University of Madras.

Commending UGC for bringing out comprehensive guidelines, he said, “It will improve the quality of the IDE degrees. The credit system also will provide opportunities to create new courses based on credits.  We will make it more broad-based degree programmes.”  

The new regulations also warned all the institutions to follow the territorial jurisdiction while offering the distance mode courses.

“Jurisdiction issue is not the new one. The universities also cannot effectively manage the study centres across the country. Now, they can manage the centres and conduct exam in their restricted area,” Mr.Duraisamy said.

The new regulations also stipulated to increase the faculty strength and physical infrastructure among other things.

As per the new rules, three faculty members needed for each school. “The UGC has formulated the guidelines to reduce the gap between the regular students and students graduating from distance mode. The credit system will ensure overseas opportunities for these graduates,” professors said.