THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the government has completed preparations to start four-year courses from next year instead of three-year undergraduate courses. He was inaugurating a two-day workshop on higher education reform.

"A Kerala Higher Education Curriculum Framework that all higher educational institutions can use will be formulated. The draft for this should be prepared by March 2023. The respective universities should ensure curriculum reform and innovation in accordance with this framework," the CM said.

"It has been decided to start three project mode courses each for five years in seven state universities. Ten government colleges will be upgraded to constituent colleges ensuring academic freedom. We have received a favourable response to the proposal to increase the ratio of theory and internal examination marks from 80:20 to 60:40. There has also been a proposal to conduct the evaluation of alternating semester examinations in colleges. A decision on this proposal should be reached quickly after discussion with students and teachers," he added.

"The government has decided in principle to start a private university in the state. We are aiming for a comprehensive change in the higher education sector with private participation. Private investment is needed for institutions with innovative systems and exchange methods to emerge in the state," he added.

Minister Dr R Bindu presided over the function. Dr. NK Jayakumar, Dr. CT Aravindakumar, Dr. MV Narayanan, Dr. PM Mubarak Pasha, Higher Education Principal Secretary Ishita Roy, Higher Education Council Member Secretary Dr. Rajan Varghese and others participated.