Internship mandatory for College Students: UGC issued strict guidelines
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the UGC has issued guidelines that make internship mandatory for graduate students. NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of integrating research and internships in the undergraduate (UG) curriculum.
Students studying degree courses will be required to undertake internship and they will get academic credits for their internship experiences, according to the new draft guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC).
In line with the principles of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the UGC has issued guidelines that make internship mandatory for graduate students. NEP 2020 emphasizes the importance of integrating research and internships in the undergraduate (UG) curriculum.
This approach aims to provide students with opportunities for meaningful participation in on-site experiential learning, thereby promoting a more practical and holistic educational experience.
A minimum of 120/160 credits required as per National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF) and Curriculum and Credit Framework for Degree Program (CCFUP) Three Years UG Degree / Four Years UG Degree (Hons) / Four Years UG Degree (Hons with Research)Two to four credits can be assigned to an internship, the draft guidelines said.
It is specified that students of the UG degree program should complete a compulsory internship of between 60 to 120 hours after their fourth semester. “The three-year UG degree, four-year UG degree (Honours) and four-year degree (Honours with Research) program will operate strictly following the provisions of NEP-2020, NHECF and CCFUP,” the draft guidelines said.
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Based on Level-5.5 and Level-6 higher education qualification level descriptors, students must achieve certain competencies with a research orientation by studying courses under Research Capacity Enhancement Courses (RAEC) and undertaking a research internship project. In case of students pursuing a three-year UG degree, they have to complete a compulsory internship of 60 to 120 hours after their fourth semester.
On the other hand, for those opting for a four-year degree, a compulsory research internship in the eighth semester is essential. These internships can include a wide range of experiences, including regular internships with government or private organizations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, local industries, artists, artisans and similar entities.
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For research internships, students can engage with lecturers, scientists, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), research institutes, universities, industrial research laboratories, well-established national and international organizations, farmers and entrepreneurs.
The commission has recommended various fields for internship including business and agriculture, economy and banking, financial services, logistics, information technology, art, design, music, health, life sciences, sports, wellness and physical education, environmental studies and more.
“Interns will be evaluated by Research Internship Supervisor based on their efforts and research output or interns will be evaluated through seminar presentation or viva-voce at HEI,” the draft guidelines said.
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