Nach Abschluss der zwölften Klasse haben Studenten in Indien bald die Möglichkeit, einer Hochschulausbildung nachzugehen, die über die herkömmlichen Kurse hinausgeht. Die Indische Kommission für Universitätszuschüsse (University Grants Commission, UGC) hat den Startschuss gegeben für die Einführung eines dreijährigen Bachelor-Studiums in Berufsbildung (BVoc) an anerkannten Hochschulen und Universitäten im ganzen Land.
UGC seeks proposals for BVoc course
Joint secretary of UGC K P Singh issued a circular on March 13 inviting direct proposals from colleges which are eligible for funds from the commission and have plans to start the BVoc degree programme. The proposals should reach the UGC by April 15. Vocational Sectors The UGC has identified 10 vocational sectors
After completing Standard XII, students will soon have the option of higher studies that go beyond the conventional arts, commerce and science courses. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has set the ball rolling for the introduction of a three-year bachelor of vocation (BVoc) degree course at recognized colleges and universities across the country.
With a focus on raising employability of graduates and meeting the industry's requirement for ready-to-work students, this course seeks to provide skill and specialization in different vocations. It will have a multiple-exit provision - a diploma at the end of the first year and an advanced diploma after two years.
According to V B Gaikwad, director of University of Pune's board of colleges and university development, there are 148 aided colleges under the university which are recognized and eligible for UGC funds. There are also a number of the university-affiliated colleges in the non-aided sector, including engineering and pharmacy institutions, which qualify for the funds. "We have asked all these colleges to furnish their proposals to the UGC," he said.
The BVoc degree course is one of three key proposals, along with setting up of community colleges and funding under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyaan (RUSA), which will be discussed at the university's academic council meeting in May. "The university has identified a large number of vocational sectors for the BVoc plan. Colleges too have been given the freedom to work out their plans based on industry requirement," Gaikwad said.
The UGC has made provisions for financial assistance up to Rs 1.85 crore for the first three years to each of the colleges selected for the BVoc programme under the National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF). The NSQF was approved on December 19, 2013 by the Cabinet Committee on Skill Development. It organizes qualifications based on levels of knowledge, skill and aptitude.
At present, there are different qualifications across institutions, each with its own duration, curriculum, entry requirement and title. This often leads to problems in establishing equivalence of certificates, diploma and degrees and, in turn, impacts employability and mobility of students. Credit accumulation and transfer system in the NSQF will enable students to move between education, vocational training and work.
Advantage BVoc