Gujarat Technological University (GTU) is all set to introduce Dual-Degree option as a part of New Education Policy from current academic year. GTU will give engineering students the option to earn a minor degree along with the degree in a major subject as part of the New Education Policy. GTU has identified 39 subjects that Bachelor of Engineering students can opt for their minor degree. The options will be available to students enrolled in GTU’s 10 affiliate colleges.Through this a chemical engineering student will be able to earn a minor degree in subjects like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This move will attract more students towards the shortlisted 10 colleges that will offer the two-degree option.
At the end of both the courses, students will get BE Honours degree with mention of specialisation in it.Navin Sheth VC of GTU said, “There’s no provision at present for dual degrees. There are new areas in the engineering field that can give students an edge in knowledge as well as employment opportunities. It is with this view that we have decided to offer the dual-degree option to students.”To earn a minor degree in selected 39 emerging areas, students will have to earn 20 credits in the selected subject in the same duration. He further said, “After earning 20 credits in both major and a minor subject, students will earn a minor degree along with the major after four years.”Gujrat Technical University had invited applications from its affiliated colleges. After a thorough scan of the college’s infrastructure, number of teachers, number of PhD teachers in the emerging engineering fields, college accreditation etc, 10 colleges were selected along with the courses.
Rupesh Vasani, Director of SAL Institute of Technology, said the move will substantially help students at a time when wider knowledge of multiple subjects has become mandatory. He further said, “Students will get a BE Honours degree at the end of the course. For colleges, it will be an opportunity to give them better exposure as online classes will also be considered. We can tie-up with foreign universities too.”