How 4-year UG honours course is transforming education in West Bengal

Four-year undergraduate degree programme was conceived under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and officially announced with effect from July 2020. Primary objectives of NEP 2020 for higher education were highlighted as: (i) flexibility in curriculum design; (ii) multiple entry and exit options; (iii) promotion of multi-disciplinary education; (iv) inter-disciplinary approach to the teaching-learning system; (v) introducing internship at the undergraduate level for better employability; (vi) integration of vocational training with higher education and (vii) emphasis on research at the undergraduate level.

The UGC published curriculum and credit framework for undergraduate programmes in December 2022 for the implementation of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) for UG curriculum with different options under NEP 2020. It was followed by the publication of National Higher Education Qualification Framework by UGC in May 2023 where the different levels of higher education qualification with credit requirements and the learning outcomes at each level has been described.

The Government of West Bengal published State Education Policy 2023 through a Gazette notification dated September 5, 2023. For higher education, the policy has given emphasis, among others, on (i) increasing employability through the integration of vocational courses with the mainstream teaching-learning process through the CBCS mode; (ii) Industry-academia partnership by setting up innovation cells, start-up units and incubation centres at higher education institutions; (iii) Sharing of resources through the linkages between colleges and between colleges and universities; (iv) Internationalisation through faculty and student exchange and programmes and creating opportunities for foreign universities to establish campuses in West Bengal in tune with Government of India Regulations.

Structure of the undergraduate degree programmes introduced under the New Policy includes following categories of courses (i) Major courses; (ii) Minor courses; (iii) Multidisciplinary courses, (iv) Ability enhancement courses; (v) Skill enhancement courses; (vi) Value added courses; (vii) Summer internship and (viii) Research project/dissertation.

Undergraduate degree programmess, as introduced in St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata, are as follows:

4-year UG Degree (Honours)

A student will be awarded 4-year honours degree with a major discipline after completing 160 credits with 80 credits in Major.

4-year UG Degree (Honours with Research)

If a student secures a minimum of 75% marks in first six semesters may opt for honours with research in 4th year. The student will be required to complete a research project/dissertation of 12 credits in lieu of three Major courses under the guidance of a Faculty member.

3-year UG Degree with Major (exit option)

(i) A student who wishes to exit after three years will be awarded UG degree with a major after securing a total 120 credits and 60 credits in Major.

New undergraduate degree programmes have opened the doors for several opportunities for the students in West Bengal.

(ii) A student, along with pursuing a honours/ major course of his/her choice, are also taking other courses under the category of multi-disciplinary, minor courses, etc

(iii) Holistic development of a student is facilitated through value-added courses

(iii) Introduction of skill enhancement courses under the degree programmes ensure industry-readiness and better employability. Professional training/orientation programmes for the students are also being facilitated or organised by the Department of Technical Education, Government of West Bengal.

(iv) Introduction of internship with academic credits has created the possibilities better employability with job opportunities in future.

(v) With the introduction of ‘4-year UG Honours Degree with Research’ will facilitate the further improvement of the research culture of the state and will ensure over all development of academic environment. The student can directly opt for PhD after completing the honours degree with research.

In general, the new undergraduate programmes are expected to bring positive changes in the teaching-learning system and open new horizons for further explorations.

The author is Founder Vice-Chancellor and a Professor of Economics at St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata