ugc-chairman-advocates-semester-system-for-better-evaluation

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar has urged higher education institutions to adopt the semester system over the traditional annual examination model, emphasising that this shift would offer better evaluation of students and enhance their learning process.

 

Speaking to reporters in Indore, Kumar explained that the semester system provides continuous assessment, which is crucial for improving students’ learning outcomes. "If you conduct exams just once a year, students do not get feedback to improve their learning process," he said. "Therefore, the semester system has been adopted globally."

 

The UGC chairman highlighted that students should be evaluated on multiple parameters, including mid-term exams, class participation, assignments, and exercises. "We want continuous assessment of students in higher education institutions," he added.

 

Kumar also touched upon the "One Nation, One Subscription" scheme, which aims to provide access to scholarly research articles and journal publications to over 6,300 colleges and universities across the country. He believes this initiative will strengthen the research framework in higher education.

 

Kumar made these remarks at the regional conference of autonomous colleges organised by UGC and Devi Ahilya University, Indore, on the implementation of the New National Education Policy (NEP).

 

The UGC Chairman further emphasised the NEP's potential to foster social justice, equality, and employment, aligning with the constitutional values of India. "The new National Education Policy will promote social justice, equality, and employment in the country," he said, also advocating for greater autonomy in higher education institutions.

 

Kumar acknowledged that many universities and colleges have already made notable changes in the past four years, underlining the UGC’s goal of increasing India’s gross enrolment ratio to 50 per cent by 2035.

 

On states that have yet to adopt NEP 2020, Kumar stated, "I am not saying they (some states) are not implementing NEP 2020. They are lagging in implementing NEP 2020, but we are working with them. We are persuading and motivating them to implement NEP 2020."