Universities aimed at promoting significant changes in university and inter-university transfers under FYUGP

From the upcoming academic year, universities in Kerala will carry out a series of major reforms under the Four Year Undergraduate Course (FYUGP).

The changes were intended to increase flexibility and student mobility and were approved at a senior meeting hosted by Higher Education Minister R. Bindu on Tuesday.

The meeting also approved a unified academic calendar implemented throughout the university during the attendance of Vice President, Registrar and Senior Education Officers.

One of the main reforms is the introduction of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for students to change their main subjects and seek transfers before the third semester. The university will now be required to release details of the vacancy, including the maximum additional seats within the statutory limits, to accommodate such changes. Only subjects who were previously considered a secondary or multidisciplinary course (MDC) in the first or second semester are eligible for program changes. The list of ranks will determine eligibility based on the weighted average of ranks obtained in the relevant discipline. The booking specification will apply to any newly created seats.

To facilitate transfers to the university, the university will publish details of available seats and invitation applications. Transfers will be finalized based on the ranking list. Students must submit certificates from current university presidents to prove that they are not involved in rampant or misconduct. SOP will also be applicable to independent universities. Students from these institutions will also be allowed to transfer to non-autonomous universities.

Inter-university transfer will be allowed for students who successfully complete all courses in the first two semesters. Applications within Kerala will be reviewed and ranked before forwarding to their respective universities. The relevant research committee or departmental committee will check the requests of enrolled students in cases involving the university teaching department. All applicants must submit a certificate of conduct from their current institution.

According to Dr. Bindu, a faculty member will be launched for all faculty. Master trainers will be appointed to conduct thematic seminars at all universities to ensure effective delivery of new courses.

The University has been directed to collect feedback on students and faculty on the current syllabus to enable course modifications.

The minister added that the Kerala Higher Education Commission will work with Keltron to launch the internship portal. The initiative aims to provide up to 10,000 internship opportunities, including free, paid and allowance-supported internship opportunities.