Universities in Kerala are set to initiate preparatory steps for the full-scale implementation of four-year undergraduate programmes

Kerala State institutions are preparing to begin full-scale implementation of four-year undergraduate courses at affiliated colleges in the next academic year. The Higher Education Department has scheduled a series of orientation seminars to help universities adjust to the new degree format, which would necessitate major changes in pedagogy, curriculum, course material, and learner options.

Higher Education Minister R. Bindu will lead university-level sessions at Mahatma Gandhi University on Friday. The following sessions will be held on July 3, 4, and 6 at Kannur University, Calicut University, and Kerala University, respectively. State institutions want to begin planning for the full-scale adoption of four-year undergraduate programmes at affiliated colleges beginning next academic year. The Higher Education Department has scheduled a series of orientation seminars to help universities adjust to the new degree format, which would necessitate major changes in pedagogy, curriculum, course material, and learner options.

The programmes will be attended by members of the Syndicates, Senates, Academic Councils, Board of Studies, and principals of connected institutions. Kerala State Higher Education Council will train master trainers who would be in charge of providing additional training sessions in colleges and universities. The foundation courses will be developed by the State Curriculum Committee for Higher Education. In addition, the Boards of Studies of various teaching departments will be combined to form a virtual network of Common Foundation Course Boards of Studies. The State Higher Education Reforms Implementation Cell has also begun the process of developing draught rules for the commencement of four-year degree programmes.

Course syllabi will be revised in such a way that students will be equipped with a solid knowledge base, intellectual capacities, and adaptable skill sets that will provide them with many career prospects. The curriculum is likely to bring about a wide range of adjustments. Internal assessment will be given a higher weightage (40%) as well as specific test and evaluation standards for differently-abled students. 

While Kerala University has proclaimed its desire to start four-year degree programmes in its teaching departments and a directly controlled University Institute of Technology this year, none of the university's affiliated institutions have shown a readiness to start courses this year.