Why are big colleges including IIT, DU introducing dual, joint and twinning degrees? What is the difference between these three?

Since last year, some universities in the country have prepared to start dual, twinning and joint degrees. But what benefit will students get from these degrees? This question is in the minds of students and parents. In 2022, the University Grants Commission (UGC) brought regulations for educational institutions in India to start joint degree, dual degree and twinning programs, especially with foreign institutions. This decision was taken to provide quality education and global exposure to the students. Some IITs have already started this. Like IIT Bombay is preparing a joint academic research program with Tohoku University of Japan. After this some dual degrees will start. Similarly, IIT Chennai has also been working with Germany’s University of Dresden to start dual degrees last year. The Academic Council and Executive Council of Mumbai University have also approved dual, joint and twinning degrees. Some private universities are also working on these.

DU in preparation for twinning degree

Delhi University has started dual degree. DU Registrar Prof Vikas Gupta says, currently students will be able to do one regular course from DU and another course through Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode from DU’s School of Open Learning (SOL). To pursue two degrees simultaneously, a student must fulfill the requirements of both academic programs. That means Attendance, Internal Assessment, Continuous Assessment, Presentation, Examination.

After the success of this program, DU will consider expanding the spread of dual degree with other universities also. DU is preparing to introduce twinning degree with foreign universities. With this, students will now be able to study for one semester in a foreign higher education institute. Its objective is to enhance the skills of the students and provide exposure to different learning environments, research, internships, projects.

What is dual, joint, twinning degree?

Dual Degree: The curriculum of the program will be jointly prepared by institutions in India and abroad. The student will have to complete 30% course credit from a foreign institute. The degree will be issued by institutes in India and abroad. The credits of both the institutions will also be written in it.

Joint Degree: Both the partner institutions will sign an MOU, under which Indian students will have to complete more than 30% course credit from the foreign institution. The degree will be awarded by an Indian institute.

Twinning Degree: The student must complete 30% of the course credits from a foreign institution. This will be done through exchange program. Same will happen for foreign students also.

Fees are high, but universities are breaking even

Fees are a challenge in starting a degree with a foreign institution. Because the fees for the semester students study abroad are paid by a foreign institute. The charges for accommodation and food make it expensive. For this reason many educationists oppose it. But recently, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha (IP) University of Delhi Government has joined hands with foreign universities and started International Dual Degree Programme, for which there will be no additional fees.

The University has started the admission process for International Dual Degree Program – Master of Science Program (Digital Production for Sustainable Manufacturing) with AGH University of Kraków, Poland. The specialty of this program is that students have to pay only the tuition fees of IP University. In this four semester program, students will have to complete the first two semesters in AGH University and the third and fourth semesters in IP University. If degree is brought, dual degree can become a trend.