In fact, a committee constituted to effectuate the New National Education Policy (NEP) has recommended legislation regarding university governance, rules, and regulations. This has been an agenda for discussion with the state government at the Raj Bhavan level.
The NEP proposes to resolve many contradictions, among which are an absence of uniformity in curriculum and examination, forcing a person to stay under one university once admitted, and the hardship of migration while switching universities. The single most important reason preventing the State from implementing the NEP is the unavailability of a State University Unified Act like in other states.
Thus, preparation is underway for a uniform curriculum and study pattern for all universities. A committee set up by Raj Bhavan and the higher education department in the state will oversee this process.
Self-Study Students Filling the Coffers
Each division in the state has government academic universities. Rajasthan University in Jaipur, MGSU in Bikaner, MDS in Ajmer, Kota University, Sukhadia University in Udaipur, among others, primarily earn revenue from self-study students. Out of approximately 35 lakh students, 15-20 lakh are self-study students. In Bikaner’s MGSU alone, out of five lakh, 2.5 to 3 lakh are self-study students. Providing arrangements for self-study students outside the NEP framework will be challenging.
Curbing Fraud
It is the new system under which these scattered private universities issue proposed degrees instead of the main intent of education. Currently, students struggle after finishing their degrees or diplomas looking for verifications, duplicates mark sheets, migration certificates, and delayed results. Now, this all will become a history.
Government Receives Notice
Not much forward progress has ever been achieved within the state in implementing higher education reforms aligned to 2020 in NEP. The notice has been issued by UGC to the state for this. Further, practical issues have been reviewed in the meeting of Vice-Chancellors Coordination Committee.
The four-member body has been constituted for developing a uniform curriculum and networking framework for effective implementation of NEP. It includes Prof. Manoj Dixit, Vice-Chancellor, Maharaja Ganga Singh University, Bikaner.
Working on Uniformity and Consistency
The NEP essentially is student freedom to study as per one’s interest, earn credits, take breaks, change universities, change subjects, etc. Uniformity and consistency in curriculum, examination patterns, degrees, and credits across the state’s universities would require this. The committee is looking for framing such rules and regulations.
Rajasthan Universities Changes: The New Form
- Strikingly Similar Uniformity of Curriculum and Examination Patterns in All Degree-Diploma Courses: Even the design of degrees and mark sheets that will be issued will be alike.
- Entry and Exit Points in 3-4 Year Degree Programs: They will allow students to change universities after one or two years of study for further education and take their studies from where they left it at another university.
- Current System Creates Possibility of a Degree Only at Once: The need for migration certificates for changing universities will no more be there, and every student’s data will go with his or her Aadhaar ID and DigiLocker.
- Freedom to Study as per Interest: For example, a science student can also learn music or arts without any restriction.
