UGC to grant foreign degree equivalence; restricts online, distance mode degrees

NEW DELHI: As foreign universities reach the advanced stages of setting up campuses in India’s GIFT city and Indian universities collaborating with universities abroad to offer dual or joint degrees, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has set out guidelines for equivalence and recognition of degrees obtained from foreign institutions.

The higher education regulator in its draft guidelines Recognition and Grant of Equivalence to Qualifications obtained from Foreign Educational Institutions) Regulations, 2023, has covered internationally relevant curricula, academic and research collaboration with foreign universities and credit recognition under twinning arrangements.

In order to facilitate the mobility of students in a seamless manner, the UGC will maintain a dedicated online portal to receive applications to grant equivalence to qualifications obtained from foreign educational institutions.

This equivalence certificate will certify the “parity of a qualification” between a foreign qualification and the qualification awarded by an Indian Board or university at the same level. As per the UGC regulations, the equivalence certificate will also be accepted by the universities in India for the purposes of admission or employment.

Currently, the evaluation division of the All India Universities (AIU)–an apex inter-university organisation– issues an ‘equivalence certificate’ to students with foreign qualifications to facilitate their admission in Indian Universities. With the guidelines coming into effect, UGC will also assume the responsibility of granting equivalence to foreign degrees. The commission has sought suggestions from stakeholders on the draft UGC guidelines till September 16, 2023.

“In the wake of India’s renewed thrust on academic collaboration with foreign countries and in the context of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, UGC’s role in the internationalisation of the Indian education system has increased manifold,” the UGC said in a statement.

Conditions for equivalence

The regulator has stipulated certain conditions to award the equivalence. As per the draft guidelines, the foreign degree must be duly recognised in its home country, Online or distance education degree or a qualification obtained through “franchise arrangement” in this case will not be considered for equivalence.

Qualification obtained in off-shore campuses, according to UGC, under dual degree or joint degree will only be recognised if the academic programmes satisfy the accreditation requirements in the country where the offshore campus is located and in the country of origin.

While the guidelines state that the minimum duration of the programme should be similar to that of a corresponding programme in India, in case the duration varies, the UGC will consider minimum credit requirements that should be the same in both institutions. “In considering this, the commission will examine and grant equivalence to the definition of credit (number of contact hours per week, number of self-study hours, the quantum of experiential learning, etc.) first, before the equivalence between the programmes is established. Up to 10% variation of total normalised credit requirements may be given equivalence,” the document states.

A standing committee, as guidelines proposes, will be formed to determine similar entry-level requirements for admission to the programmes in both Indian an foreign universities.

How to apply for equivalence?

The proposed online portal will be the sole platform to apply for equivalence certificates. Applicants will have to submit relevant documents with a fee and the UGC will notify the decision of the commission within 15 days after the application has been received. In case of approval, an equivalence certificate will be uploaded on the portal.

The commission will also set up an appellate committee in case the applicant is not satisfied with the decision of the UGC. The student can appeal for a review within 30 days.

According to draft guidelines, students who have obtained a degree that falls under a collaborative agreement between the government of India or UGC with a foreign country will not need to apply for equivalence. Similarly, degrees obtained under UGC’s academic collaboration regulations issued in 2022 will be exempted from seeking equivalence.