Academic credit banking to be introduced in higher education

Students
Representative Image. Photo: StockImageFactory.com/Shutterstock.com.

Thiruvananthapuram: The government may roll out credit banking and credit transfer system in the higher education field in the state. A consensus about it was reached at a meeting of the officials from various universities that was convened to discuss the proposals in the higher education reforms commission’s report.

As per the credit bank system, a student can utilise the credits that he/she had earned at one college in another institution. If the education of a student gets stalled after completing the first semester, then he/she can join another college in the second semester. Meanwhile, in the credit transfer system, two universities would jointly conduct a course. The student can study at both places within a stipulated time. They can utilise the facilities and excellence of both universities at the same time. The opinions of the student organisation will be sought in the matter of reducing the external – internal proportion to 60:40 from 80:20. Various opinions were raised at the meeting about the four-year-long graduation programs. Minister R Bindu said that the state cannot look away when the central government has decided to execute it. The proposals would be divided into the ones that need strategic decisions, approval of higher education council and the ones that require the assent of the universities. A two-member cell has been formed to oversee the execution. Meanwhile, the discussions at the university levels would be completed in three weeks. Extensive discussions and meetings would be held later.

Private donation

The higher education reforms commission said that the proposal to allow private investment in government colleges were meant as donations. It added that this includes basic infrastructure development using CSR funds, establishing endowments by getting donations from private individuals and establishing research chairs. The commission suggested that the various departments in colleges and universities could offer consultancy services for private projects to generate revenue. Meanwhile, Minister Bindu said that the proposal regarding the private investment should be analysed in detailed before executing.

College students are not children

Higher education minister R Bindu noted that college students are not children and they shouldn’t be addressed like that. They should be seen as adults. She said that gender equality, sex education, environmental studies, ecological conservation and civil rights should be focused while preparing the syllabus. Decision should be taken about arranging hostel and washroom facilities for transgender students. The higher education institutes should become more research-friendly. The minister said that the colleges too should adopt the cluster system. 

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