UGC extends the deadline for universities to submit details on apprenticeship, internship programmes

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has extended the deadline for universities to submit information regarding the Apprenticeship/ Internship Embedded Degree Programme (AEDP). The last date to submit the details is December 20, 2021. The UGC had previously requested all the Vice-Chancellors of universities to furnish the details by October 10, 2021.

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“Deadline for submission of such information is now extended till 20th December 2021. Universities / institutions which are offering apprenticeship/ internship embedded degree programme but are yet to provide the relevant information are requested to share the same by filling in a Google Form,” the official notice read.

The UGC had released guidelines for higher education institutions to offer internship, apprenticeship embedded degree programmes last year.

The aim of the AED programme is to improve the employability of students pursuing undergraduate (UG) degrees. It includes outcome-based learning and also promotes an active link between the higher education system and industry. AEDP is in line with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020). The duration of the apprenticeship/internship is a minimum of six months (one semester).

Meanwhile, the UGC also approved three more universities to offer online degree programmes in addition to the 49 universities. UGC has also announced that the July academic session for these online degree programmes will commence from November 2021 and the last date of admission will be on December 15 under exceptional circumstances.