Development of Skilled Human Resource in Higher Education Prof. Ved Prakash Chairman, UGC

Development of Skilled Human Resource Preparation of skilled human resources – Major concern since Sadler and Sergeant times. Mudaliar Commission recommended introduction of vocational education after grade 8. Kothari Commission suggested diversification of education into academic and vocational streams after grade 10. In fact Education Commission emphasized diversion of 25% of students to vocational streams at the end of grade 10 All these recommendations met with only sporadic success because: Poorer perception of vocational programs; Ill-equipped schools; Non-availability of teaching learning material in regional languages; Lack of trained teachers to handle vocations; and Lack of vertical mobility.

In school sector we failed because we built failure in the design of the system. We now need to learn from our failure. Situation is now sought to be remedied through our present skilling initiative. We have come up with the NSQF. Framework provides for greater flexibility with multiple exits, multiple pathways, vertical mobility with the provision of Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). Conceptually a good model as it has many advantages. Based on CBCS the UGC has supported 157 Community colleges and 127 B.VoC programs

Vocational Orientation to HE B.Voc Community College UGC Allocation Rs. 234 Cr. UGC Allocation Rs. 138 Cr. 157 Community College and 76 Trades approved 127 Institutions Degree Programme Certificate -3 Months) & Advance Certificate (06 Months) Diploma & Advance Diploma Diploma holders can have entry into 2nd Year Adv. Diploma holders can have entry into 3rd Year Diploma : 10+2+1 Advance Diploma : 10+2+1+1

Importance of Choice Based Credit System in the Process of Learning Choice enables a learner to pursue any area of knowledge domain depending upon his / her interest. Choice also widens the horizon of learner’s intellectual insight. Rigidity of present system does not allow pursuit of areas of interest as well as widening the educational horizon of the learner. Provision of choice is an essential condition for broad-basing a learner’s profile across areas of knowledge.

Learning by Earning Credits Credits offer flexibility of learning at one’s own pace. Credits can be earned in a shorter or expanded period depending upon the capacity of the learner. Provision of transfer of credit is a facility for students to move from one branch to another. Possibility of doing majors in more than one subject if provision of earning credit is available in the coursework. In interdisciplinary courses, credits can be earned by taking courses across departments and institutions

Pre-requisites for Introducing CBCS Curriculum has to be semesterized. Course parity among institutions is essential. Modularization of the syllabi in terms of credits. Credits earned on internal and external evaluation be calibrated. Testing instruments to assess all levels of abilities. Institutions to organize orientation programs for faculty on various dimensions of CBCS. Affiliating Universities need to consider standardizing testing instruments for the courses offered in their colleges.

Grading in relation to CBCS Advantages of moving away from numerical marking to grading Grading provides a more realistic assessment of the learner. Stigma of ‘fail’ is minimized in grading. Grading enables the use of both ‘absolute’ & ‘relative’ grading depending upon the context. Relative grading provides possibilities of placing students in comparable categories regardless of their relative achievements in different subjects.

Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) Foundation Courses Core Courses Elective Courses Expanded courses to enhance the Knowledge of Core Courses Compulsory Foundation Based on Core Courses Elective Foundation Courses Like Value Education Generic Electives Discipline Centric Electives Interrelated Courses – Can be from Other Deptts. Like Soft Skills No Choices Choices Choices Choices

UGC Proposal to Step up Vocationalization Deen Dayal Upadhyay KAUSHAL Kendras UGC proposes to suppport: 100 KAUSHAL Kendras with an aid up to Rs. 5 crore to each Centre Ph.D, M.Voc, Diploma, Advance Diploma, Certificate and Advance Certificate Target Group Institutions already Running B.Voc / Community College De novo Institutions under 2(f) & 12B NAAC & NBA UGC proposes to suppport: National Resource Centre for KAUSHAL (NRCK) with an aid of Rs.25 Cr.