THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There will be no three-year courses in the state from the next year. Higher Education Minister R Bindu announced that the state's universities will be providing four-year degree courses from next year. A graduation certificate will be awarded on completion of the third year. Interested students can pursue a fourth-year degree course. They will be awarded an Honors degree. Colleges will not be forced to offer four-year courses this year. Students can opt for fourth-year study. Research will be given importance in the fourth year. The exit certificate will be issued only in the third year. The minister added that a re-entry system will be provided for the children who stopped studying in the middle.
"The curriculum of the four-year course has been prepared and handed over to the University. From next year, all universities will offer four-year degree courses. Universities can offer four-year courses this year on an experimental basis," the minister said.
"The governor needs to sign the ordinance to end the ambiguity surrounding the appointment of permanent vice chancellors of universities. He should return the ordinance if there are any irregularities. However, he hasn't returned it. Persons currently holding the post of VCs are qualified. They are doing things well. We are expecting that the governor would soon sign the bill," she added.