Career-Oriented Short Term Courses in Universities and Colleges

The University Grants Commission (UGC) is implementing a scheme titled “Introduction of Career Oriented Courses (COCs)” in Universities and Colleges in the country to encourage incorporation of skill oriented and value added add-on-courses in Colleges/ Universities at Certificate/Diploma/Advance Diploma level. The COCs are run concurrently with conventional degrees like B.A./B.Com/B.Sc. The guidelines of the Scheme are at http://www.ugc.ac.in/oldpdf/xiplanpdf/revisedcareerorientedcourses.pdf. Under the Scheme, UGC provides financial assistance to Universities/Colleges, eligible to receive grants from the UGC, for introduction of COCs. The Universities/Colleges, which have introduced COCs, are provided with a financial assistance of Rs. 7.00 lakhs as “Seed Money” for five years for Humanities and Commerce stream and Rs. 10.00 lakhs as “Seed Money” for five years for Science Stream. As on date, Six Universities and 516 Colleges have been approved by the UGC for grant-in-aid for 793 Courses under this Scheme.

The UGC is also implementing the Scheme of Community Colleges in Universities and Colleges to impart skill based vocational education and training to learners through credit based modular programmes with industry partnership. The guidelines of the scheme are available at http://www.ugc.ac.in/pdfnews/5091249_Community-College-Revised-Guidelines-FINAL.pdf. As on date, there are 157 institutions approved by the UGC, under this Scheme, catering to the needs of 76 skill sectors.

This information was given by the Union Human Resource Development Minister, Smt. Smriti Irani in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha question.

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DS/RK/