New Delhi: Indian holy places, Sanskrit Language and Literature, Indian logic, Vedic mathematics and rivers of india are in new short term certificate Syllabus Happen taught in country Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), as per guidelines Issued by University Grants Commission (UGC) Tuesday,
UGC has advised Indian universities to introduce teaching courses on Indian heritage and culture to attract more foreign students.
The guidelines outlining the course structure list a set of 46 courses, which will be divided into five units, each spread over 60 hours. The guidelines also allow HEIs to offer courses in hybrid mode.
UGC chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar told ThePrint, “We definitely want more and more international students to come and study in India. Apart from establishing contemporary India on our ancient civilization as India is fast growing as a strong economy and Indians are doing well globally, there is a growing curiosity to know more about India.
Kumar said “exciting topics” ranging from Indian philosophy to temple architecture, literature to Indian food and cultural heritage to Indian crafts can attract international students seeking a deeper insight into Indian culture.
“If universities can provide introductory level, intermediate level and advanced level courses to these students, they will have a greater understanding of India,” he said.
In March this year, the UGC had released the draft of these guidelines in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The guidelines describe the proposed courses as part of “short-term multi-level credit-based modular programs with multiple entry and exit based on Indian heritage and culture to promote the interest of people from abroad to visit India”.
“It includes spreading and imparting knowledge of various dimensions of learning in the field of universal human values, Vedic Mathematics, Yoga, Ayurveda, Sanskrit, Indian languages, sacred religious areas, archaeological sites and monuments located in the Indian subcontinent…” read guidance.
The courses can be offered at three different levels – introductory, intermediate and advanced, depending on the degree of learning outcomes and the rigor of the curricular structure of the relevant subjects, he said.
In March this year, a parliamentary panel on education suggested that the higher education department issue guidelines for universities to introduce courses on Indian heritage and culture.
Duration of courses, transferable credits
As per the guidelines, citizens of any country having interest in Indian heritage and knowledge systems will be eligible for admission to these courses. On completion of each level, students will be given a certificate in recognition of the same.
Professor Amarjeev Lochan, Joint Dean, Departments of International Relations and Foreign Students, University of Delhi, is of the opinion that while such courses can be an immediate hit among foreign students, institutions need to be mindful of the credit system and duration.
“Many other countries also have short-term courses that provide students with an opportunity to earn additional credits through short-term courses. These courses on Indian heritage will be of interest to exchange students and those visiting India through other education institutions, research institutions or ministries,” he told ThePrint.
He pointed out that since the HEIs would have to devote their faculty to these courses, they would have to be mindful of the time duration. “Up to three months is the ideal time duration. Also, the credits of these courses need to be transferable, so that it benefits the students.”
As per the guidelines, credits earned in such programs will be recognized by any Higher Education Institution (HEI) under the Credit Transfer System, through Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) for credit accumulation/redemption for authentication of credits as appropriate. with variables. Academic Awards as per UGC norms.
The guidelines suggest that universities running such programs are free to decide specific eligibility conditions.
To make learning more diverse and effective, the guidelines suggest that students should be exposed to contemporaries and experts in the said subjects during the course of their studies.
“The programs under this scheme, especially at the advanced level, are designed to include discourses with learned teachers (acharyas), artists/artisans/craftsmen, association with religious devotees (satsang), exposure to folk cultures and visits to famous places.” recommended.” Guidelines read.
(Editing by Amritansh Arora)