Higher Education Minister Dr. R. Bindu emphasised the pivotal role of new Honours Degrees in transforming students into knowledge producers during her interaction with the Principals and the MGU-UGP nodal officers of affiliated colleges at BCM College Auditorium in Kottayam.

Scheduled to commence on July 1, the Honours programmes aim to raise the standard of undergraduate education in Kerala to match that of internationally renowned universities. Dr. Bindu stressed the necessity for colleges to adopt a student-centric approach, with teachers facilitating a system that offers a diverse range of higher study options and empowers students to make informed choices.

Colleges are urged to create an environment conducive to innovation, incubation, and entrepreneurship. Support from government-endorsed skill development agencies and dedicated software for the smooth operation of the Academic Bank of Credit will aid in this endeavour.

Efforts will be made to ensure that students completing their fourth year of Honours and proceeding to postgraduate studies do not lose their one year. Dr. Bindu reassured teachers about job security, highlighting numerous opportunities available in the new programmes, including the introduction of novel courses.

The function, presided over by Dr. Beena Mathew, Vice-Chancellor (in charge), had University-level activities outlined by Dr. Biju Pushpan, Syndicate member and Chairman of MDU UGP implementation committee. Syndicate members Adv. Reji Zachariah, Dr. S. Shajila Beevi, P. Harikrishnan, University Registrar Dr. K. Jayachandran, Controller of Examinations Dr. C.M. Sreejit, and Dr. Stephy Thomas, Principal of BCM College, also participated. Research Officers from the Kerala Higher Education Reforms Implementation Cell, Dr. K. Sudheendran, and Dr. V. Shafeeque, led the orientation programme.