New Delhi: Delhi University (DU) students may soon have the opportunity to complete a semester of their final year in an international university.
A proposal for twinning programmes is set to be discussed at the upcoming academic council (AC) meeting on Dec 27.
This initiative aligns with UGC regulations for twinning programmes with foreign universities, as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Under the proposed arrangement, students would complete the semester abroad, earning between 12 and 26 credits. Once they return, they would receive their degree from DU.
A committee established to determine the details of the twinning degree arrangement will present its recommendations at the council meeting. Under this scheme, students will have the option of studying a semester at a foreign higher educational institution. According to some educators, this proposal has significant advantages for students. Previously, if students studied abroad alongside their main course, they could not have the credits earned abroad integrated into their degree. However, under the new plan, credits earned during the semester abroad will be counted towards their DU degree.
Professor K Ratnabali, the dean of academic affairs, welcomed the initiative. “This is a great opportunity for students to study at one of the top 500-ranked universities globally, with their credits seamlessly integrated into their DU degree,” she said. The initiative will be student-driven. “Students will be responsible for identifying a university and field of interest, based on DU’s MoUs with foreign institutions. After choosing a university, students can apply to DU, where a committee will evaluate their applications and determine whether the arrangement is feasible,” Ratnabali added.
The twinning programme will also be accessible to meritorious students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. “This does not mean it is limited to students in the EWS quota. Other students who meet certain economic criteria will also be considered. For example, if a foreign university offers a full scholarship, we will encourage those students who can’t afford it to take the opportunity. This is just one example. The process remains flexible at this stage,” the dean said.
However, some academic council members have expressed concern about the proposal, calling it “disastrous” and highlighting the lack of clarity regarding its implementation. “The concept may sound good, but the details are missing. This proposal was brought up in a previous meeting, and we raised objections, which led to it being withdrawn. Now, they are attempting to pass it again without providing sufficient information. We will not support it in the meeting,” said professor Mithuraaj Dhusiya, an academic council member.
In addition to the twinning programme, DU is also preparing to introduce a one-year postgraduate (PG) programme, starting in 2026.
A draft proposal on this will be discussed at the academic council meeting. After completing a three-year undergraduate course, students will have the option of pursuing a two-year PG programme, while those completing a four-year undergraduate degree will be eligible for the one-year PG programme.
