UGC asks universities to implement guidelines for internship, research for UG courses

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities and higher educational institutions (HEIs) to implement the guidelines for internship and research internship for undergraduate (UG) students. The regulatory body also informed that it will review the implementation as recommended in National Education Policy (NEP 2020).

“The UGC Guidelines for Internship/Research Internship for Undergraduate Students aims to improve employability skills and can help in generating competency, capability, professional working skills, expertise, and confidence among the students for employability and developing interest, passion for research,” the commission said.

As per the guidelines, an internship of 60 to 120 hours duration after the 4th semester will be mandatory for the students enrolled in UG degree programmes. “For an internship, one credit of Internship means two-hour engagement per week. Accordingly, in a semester of 15 weeks’ duration, one credit in this course is equivalent to 30 hours of engagement in a semester,” the rule read.

For students pursuing a 4-year UG degree programme (Honours with Research), engagement in the dissertations, research project during the entire 8th semester of 12 credits will be considered as a mandatory aspect to award a degree upon completion of course.

The commission said that the research project, thesis work, or dissertation should involve 360 hour duration during the 8th semester.

The suggested internship activities include hands-on training, short research project, seminar attendance, read assigned journals to prepare for seminars, study certain entrepreneurs, social projects, study of the enterprises or farmers.

The UGC had earlier made research part of the four-year UG programme in the last 12 months. Later in October 2023, the guidelines were revised and the final regulations research and internship part of last semester.