It is no longer a dream for the students to obtain two degrees simultaneously as the proposal to allow students to pursue two educational degrees has received a nod from the University Grants Commission (UGC). Now, the students can pursue two degrees concurrently irrespective of the fact that the two degrees are from the same stream or different streams. However, it is mandatory that the students should obtain one of the degrees from a regular mode of education and the other from distance or correspondence mode. The news was revealed by Rajnish Jain, the UGC secretary.
Currently in India, some higher education institutions offer the integrated degree programme where an undergraduate and postgraduate degree programme is offered together. The advantage of pursuing such an integrated programme is the learners spend less time to obtain the two degrees. For example, a student pursuing an integrated B.Tech and M.Tech degree programme will only have to invest 5 years to obtain both the degrees instead of 6 years, if done separately.
The dual-degree programme which received the approval from the UGC will allow the students to pursue courses belonging to different streams as well.
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According to Bhushan Patwardhan, the Vice Chairman of UGC, the decision to allow students to pursue dual-degree study has been taken after taking into consideration the opinion of the public.
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There are some, however, who are apprehensive about the success of the dual degree programme. A former UGC chairperson opined that although the idea of allowing students to pursue dual-degree study will enhance their employability, it will be energy-sapping as well. Students might find it difficult to balance between the two degrees they opt for.