Get Ready: SWAYAM Exams Now Held at Your Own Institution

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has introduced a new framework that allows universities to conduct exams for courses available through the Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) platform. This student-centric move aligns with the UGC's ongoing efforts to increase the accessibility and flexibility of earning academic credits through online learning platforms, ensuring that the best interests of the students are always at the forefront.

Students can register through their universities, complete the course activities, and take exams conducted by the university. This is in addition to the existing exam facilities provided by NTA and NPTEL.

The credits earned can be transferred to the student's transcripts. UGC invites all HEIs to adopt SWAYAM courses and use the framework to examine better learner-friendliness," UGC chairman M Jagadesh Kumar said.

UGC SWAYAM Framework: Implementation

The UGC is making two documents available to aid higher education institutes in implementing this new framework. These include the "University Dashboard User Guide" and the "Steps for Adopting SWAYAM MOOC Courses." These materials are intended to help colleges sign up for courses on the SWAYAM platform and incorporate virtual learning into their students' academic transcripts.

Additionally, UGC has stated that universities must designate a nodal officer to supervise the SWAYAM course registration, test, and credit transfer procedures. This crucial role is integral to guaranteeing the new framework's seamless introduction and optimising its advantages for students, making the nodal officer feel a sense of responsibility and importance.

The UGC's decision comes after a year-long series of awareness-raising events and meetings with higher education institutions (HEIs). These discussions highlighted the need for a more student-friendly exam procedure and the increased interest of institutions in using SWAYAM courses for credit transfer.