According to UGC Chairman Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has adopted regulations allowing Indian and international higher education institutions to provide joint or dual degrees and twinning programs.
The decision was made at a higher education regulator meeting
“Any Indian institution accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a minimum score of 3.01 or in the top 100 in the university category of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) or an Institution of Eminence can collaborate with any foreign institution in the top 500 of the Times Higher Education or QS World University ranking,” Kumar said at a press conference here.
The decision was made at a higher education regulator meeting
Not applicable to programs offered online and in the open and distance learning mode
The limitations will not apply to programs offered online or through open and remote learning. Kumar, on the other hand, underlined that “under these regulations, no franchise arrangement or study center between a foreign higher education institution and an Indian higher educational institution shall be authorised, whether overtly or covertly, by whatever nomenclature utilised.”
According to the approved regulations, a “twinning program” is a collaborative arrangement in which students enrolled in an Indian higher educational institution can complete their studies partly in India and partly in a foreign higher education institution while adhering to the relevant UGC regulations
“A dual degree program”
The Indian college will confer the degree offered under such twinning programs,” Kumar stated. The curriculum for a “joint degree program” will be jointly established by partnering Indian and international higher educational institutions, and the degree will be conferred by both schools with a single certificate following completion of the program.
A “dual degree program” is established and offered jointly by Indian and international higher education institutions in the same disciplines and subject areas and at the same level.
Any relevant degree issued by an Indian higher educational institution shall be equivalent to the degree awarded under these regulations. There will be no need to seek equivalent from anybody, and the degree will have all of the benefits, rights, and privileges that a degree given by an Indian higher educational institution would normally have.”
