On July 1, institutions of higher education in Kerala rolled out the Four-Year Undergraduate Programmes (FYUGP).
The academic reform intends to provide opportunities that can enable students to acquire competence in using digital technologies, computational methods, data analytics, and other skills essential to participate in the knowledge economy
The Kerala State Higher Education Curriculum Framework for FYUGP is formulated with a student-centric approach and provides maximum flexibility in terms of choice of disciplines of study
It also allows a student to move from one discipline of study to another, according to the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
Students will have the chance to determine their semester-wise academic load, and be allowed to learn at their pace, to the extent possible.
The framework also offers flexibility for students to move from one institution to another as per their choice.
It also offers flexibility to switch to alternative modes of learning (offline, distance learning, online and hybrid)
It also allows a student to move from one discipline of study to another, according to the Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC).
Students will have the chance to determine their semester-wise academic load, and be allowed to learn at their pace, to the extent possible.
The framework also offers flexibility for students to move from one institution to another as per their choice.
It also offers flexibility to switch to alternative modes of learning (offline, distance learning, online and hybrid)
The programme offers three pathway options.
For the three-year undergraduate degree, students who wish to exit after three years will be awarded an undergraduate degree in the major discipline after securing a specific number of credits (133 or above) and satisfying minimum course requirements.
A four-year undergraduate honours degree in the major discipline will be awarded to those who complete a four-year degree programme with the specific number of credits (177 or above) and after satisfying minimum course requirements.
Additionally, students who are highly motivated to opt for research as their career can choose honours with research stream in their fourth year.
They should do a research project or dissertation under the guidance of a faculty member of the university/college.
Students who secure 177 credits, including 12 credits from a research project/dissertation, are awarded the undergraduate degree (Honours with Research).
Concerns
A group of academic experts and cultural activists, have issued a joint statement against the ‘unilateral’ roll-out of the FYUGP, warning that that the reform could “dismantle” the existing structure of arts and science courses including BA, BSc and BCom that have been in existence for several decades.
They also alleged that it lacked in-depth study in any subject.
Some also pointed out the gaps in infrastructure in campuses and the lack of adequate training for teachers on various aspects related to the programme’s implementation
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