The UGC and Union HRD Ministry have effectively initiated a pragmatic approach through implementation of CBCS (Choice based credit system) for all the degree colleges affiliated to universities across India.
The outcome of such noble initiative will add glory to Odisha’s intellectual mapping and pay rich dividends alike 26 outstanding performers in the Civil Services Examination 2016 and astounding success of Balangir lad Abhineet Parichcha who topped the all India ICSE exam.
UGC aims at introducing a paradigm shift in curriculum from teacher-centric to student-centric through the CBCS. The UGC has embarked upon measures since November 18, 2014 to introduce CBCS very judiciously and develop skills to meet the day to day requirement of students across the higher education institutions in the country as well as abroad.
leading nations such as the UK, the USA, Australia, Japan and the European countries have already started the practice of credit accumulation in educational institutes. The Government of Odisha has also taken pro-active measures by conducting a series of State level workshops to empower students of Odisha to be at par and compete in the national level examinations. The Government of Odisha has given instructions to all the universities vide order no 4910/HE, dated 27/02/2016 to implement CBCS in all undergraduate colleges from the academic year 2016-17 for the greater interest of the students. This would pave way towards achieving global prospects of curriculum for the students of Odisha which will certainly accelerate the economic growth of our State and our country.
The CBCS model features:
* Comprehensive continuous assessment: There is a continuous evaluation of the student not only by the teachers but also by the student himself. This will ensure to engage the students in the campus culture; rather than provoking students’ unrest.
* Credit transfer: CBCS offers flexibility for students to study at different times and at different institutions to complete one course. Credits earned at one institution can be transferred to another institution.
* Semester System: The degree course will have two semesters each year. Each semester will have 15-18 weeks of academic work which is equal to 90 teaching days. There is flexibility in creating the curriculum and assigning credits based on the course content and hours of teaching.
* Employability: This will facilitate in creating employability as it helps the students to imbibe skill based knowledge that benefits practically.
* Quality Assurance Mechanism: Common Minimum Standard is maintained across all universities in India and integration of project work/dissertation boosts skill development for exploring, analyzing and solving problems in an existing environment.
Under the CBCS, the syllabi will consist of core courses, elective courses and ability enhancement courses. The core course will be studied as a compulsory course while elective course is very specialized or advanced course of a particular discipline. The ability enhancement courses will be of two types-(1) ability enhancement compulsory courses based on knowledge enhancement (2) Skill enhancement courses that will provide hands on training. The latest instructional template for facilitating implementation of CBCS in all colleges accentuates a total credit score earned with maximum credits of 160 and minimum credits of 140 in UG degree.
The Utkal University being the oldest university of Odisha, recently conducted a Principals’ Conference to adopt CBCS in all the affiliated degree colleges. The basic motive is to expand academic quality in all aspects, right from the curriculum to the learning-teaching process to examination and evaluation systems.
(Dr Mishra is Principal, DAV School of Business Management, Unit-VIII, Bhubaneswar)