The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked the Universities and the higher education institutions across the country to consider 124 SWAYAM MOOCs as credit courses for the July 2020 Session. This development came in after the uncertainty looming over the reopening of campuses and holding of exams due to the COIVD-19 outbreak.
The UGC letter reads, “In the prevailing COVID-19 scenario, universities and colleges are encouraged to make the optimum use of the SWAYAM online platform for the benefit of the students. The list of 82 UG and 42 PG MOOCs courses, which are approved by the SWAYAM Board, and ready to be offered in July semester 2020.”
SWAYAM (Study Web of Active-Learning or Young Aspiring Minds) is an open online course platform launched by the MHRD in 2017 for free online courses.
As per reports, since the lockdown was announced on March 24, 2020, over 50,000 learners have accessed the 1,900 MOOCs which is an addition to the 25 lakh students already enrolled in the January 2020 semester of SWAYAM.
The commission has also mentioned that the students can learn online and take the SWAYAM semester exam schedule to be conducted in the month of November. SWAYAM Semester exams are conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA). The students can get the credits transferred to their respective universities.