IGNOU gears up for Credit System

Established in 1985, Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) is all set to face the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS). On March 31, 2015, the University Grants Commission (UGC) had issued its last notification to all university vice chancellors to implement CBCS and semester system.

Academicians at IGNOU feel that the conventional system may not be suitable for an open university, especially keeping the welfare of students in consideration.

Professor Debal Singharoy, director, academic coordination division of IGNOU says that the institute has taken up the matter very seriously and has established a committee to evaluate the pros and cons of CBCS and semesterisation.

Few portions of CBCS like the introduction of learner’s choice, credit system, semester system, grading in evaluation etc are incorporated in IGNOUs course curriculum for selected programmes. Students are also given the liberty to complete their courses at their own momentum and speed. For instance, a three years bachelor’s programme can be completed in double the duration if the student wishes to do so.

However, the major challenges which IGNOU has to face are the semester system for all undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and introduction of grading system of evaluation in a 10-point scale. According to Professor Singharoy, the institute is already practising the credit transfer/recognition system for students coming from other universities.

Source: HT Education