UGC makes latest norms must to offer joint degrees with foreign varsities

Indian higher educational institutions (HEIs) must follow University Grants Commission’s (UGC) latest regulations for twinning and dual degree programmes with foreign universities, the Commission has ruled.

Currently, 230 Indian and 1,256 foreign HEIs are eligible to offer twinning, joint degree and dual degree programmes, as per the new regulations.

Under the twinning programme, Indian HEI students may study partly in India and in foreign institutions but the Indian HEI will award the degree.

For joint degrees, the collaborating institutions will jointly design the curriculum and the partnering institution will award the degree with a single certificate. Students must earn at least 30% of the total credits from each of the Indian and foreign institutions. For dual degree programmes, the partnering institutions will confer the degree separately and simultaneously on completion of the degree requirements of both institutions. However, students must earn at least 30% of total credits from the Indian institution.

Transfer and recognition of credits are allowed but the credits shall not be from overlapping course contents/curriculum. Nor can these programmes be offered online or in open distance learning mode.