Lucknow University To Introduce Dual Degree Programmes From 2023-24 Session

Lucknow University will offer dual degree programmes from 2023, in line with UGC’s dual degree policy. The University will also set up a committee for the smooth implementation of the policy.

Lucknow University To Introduce Dual Degree Programmes From 2023-24 Session

Source : University of Lucknow

The University of Lucknow is set to offer dual degree programmes to incoming students from the upcoming 2023-24 academic session. The University has received a green flag from its admissions committee to implement the dual degree policy announced by the UGC (University Grants Commission). 

Once the new policy comes into effect from the next academic session, Lucknow University students would be able to pursue two degree courses simultaneously. The decision came up in a meeting on Tuesday, December 6, 2022, presided over by Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Professor Alok Kumar Rai.

In the meeting, the university also decided to pull up the seats in M.Sc. Food Processing and Food Technology from 30 to 40, from the upcoming academic season. The university will also constitute a committee to chalk out the roadmap to effectively implement the policy. 

Earlier this year in April, the UGC drafted a dual degree policy and called upon universities to implement the same. The UGC’s dual degree policy allows students to take up an additional degree alongside a regular degree with both degrees having equal validity. The UGC also framed regulations to facilitate joint, dual degree and twinning programmes by Indian and foreign higher education institutions. 

The UGC policy also further grants students the liberty to take up the two degree programmes either at the same or two different universities. Moreover, as per the policy guidelines, students can take up one full-time course in physical mode and another in the online or distance learning mode or two Online/Distance courses simultaneously.

In its official notification released in April this year, the University Grants Commission drafted the following guidelines for students wishing to take dual degree programmes:

• A student can pursue two full-time academic programmes in the physical mode provided that in such cases, class timings for one programme do not overlap with the class timings of the other programme. 
• A student can pursue two academic programmes, one in full-time physical mode and another in Open and Distance Learning (ODL)/Online mode; or up to two ODL/Online programmes simultaneously. 
• Degree or diploma programmes under ODL/Online mode shall be pursued with only such HEIs which are recognized by UGC/Statutory Council/Govt. of India for running such programmes. 
• Degree or diploma programmes under these guidelines shall be governed by the Regulations notified by the UGC and also the respective statutory/professional councils, wherever applicable. 
• These guidelines shall come into effect from the date of their notification by the UGC. No retrospective benefit can be claimed by students who have already done two academic programmes simultaneously prior to the notification of these guidelines.

However, noteworthy is the fact that the UGC’s dual degree policy and the aforementioned guidelines will only stand valid for students pursuing academic programmes other than Ph.D.