Page 466 - Compendium of UGC Regulations 1957-2023

Regulations pertaining to Credits, Academic Programmes and Award of Degrees:

(i) Curriculum Design: The Higher Educational Institution plays the foremost role in the
curriculum design and development of learning content and therefore, it is expected
to have processes, systems and structures in place to carry these responsibilities.
Curriculum design is a process of developing appropriate need-based curriculum in
consultation with expert groups, based on the feedback from stakeholders, resulting in
the development of relevant programmes with flexibility, to suit the professional and
personal needs of the learner and realisation of core values. The key aspect is also to
consider the good practices of the Institution in initiating a range of programme options
and courses that are relevant to the local needs and in tune with the emerging national
and global trends.

(ii) Curriculum Planning and Implementation: It is required that the Higher Educational
Institution shall have specific implementation plans for identifying the time to be spent
on specific components of the implementation phase. It is the basis for the effectiveness
of the programme(s) and their usefulness as a whole.
(iii) Academic Flexibility: Academic flexibility is the key feature of the Open and Distance
Learning mode of education and refers to freedom in the use of the time-frame of
courses, vertical mobility, and inter-disciplinary options facilitated by curricular
transactions. Therefore, the Higher Educational Institution shall adopt proper strategies
for imparting academic flexibility.
(iv) Learning Resource: Learning Resource is a key component of the Open and Distance
Learning mode of education. Learning resource can be of print and digital mode.
Considering the need of blended learning, the Higher Educational Institution should
also develop e-resources for the learner to refer and study. There is no or very little
interaction of teachers with the learners, the content and structure of learning resources
play a vital role in the Open and Distance Learning mode of education. Therefore,
it is required that each Higher Educational Institution shall ensure the quality of
learner resources and their periodical review. While deciding on the appropriateness
of the media and the technologies, the Higher Educational Institution should take into
consideration various factors – the media and technology utilised matches the course
content in order to enhance and expand learning, and to match to the learners’ needs;
that these are accessible, practical and equitable, and cost effective to the learners.

(v) Feedback System: The process of revision and redesign of curricula shall be based
on recent market dynamics, industrial developments, research and feedback from the
stakeholders including learners. The feedback from all stakeholders in terms of its
relevance and appropriateness in catering to the needs of the society, economy and
environment are also considered in this key aspect.
(d) Programme Monitoring and Review
The Higher Educational Institution shall plan and execute programme monitoring review
system which should include a programme management structure, annual programme
reviews, external benchmarking, channels for collecting learner feedback, and development
of improvement plans and actions to close the feedback. To maintain the quality of academic
programme, it is required to conduct periodical internal reviews. For such reviews the
Institution shall also consider the achievements of learning outcomes that are assessed
through the examination system.

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University Grants Commission