Rajan Gurukkal, Rajan Varughese step down as KSHEC vice-chairperson, member secretary

A fewer weeks aft the United Democratic Front (UDF) authorities assumed office, Kerala State Higher Education Council vice-chairperson Rajan Gurukkal P.M. and subordinate caput Rajan Varughese person resigned from their respective positions. The duo, who led the assembly since 2017, were instrumental successful shaping respective cardinal higher acquisition reforms including the instauration of the Four-Year Undergraduate Programme (FYUGP), the constitution of the State Assessment and Accreditation Centre (SAAC) and the Kerala Institutional Ranking Framework (KIRF).

In a prologue to a study that outlines the KSHEC’s initiatives, Prof. Gurukkal highlighted the council’s absorption connected strengthening access, equity and excellence done program reforms, prime assurance mechanisms, outcome-based education, integer enablement, probe promotion and planetary engagement.

One of the astir notable achievements during the play was the rollout of the FYUGP successful higher acquisition institutions successful Kerala from the 2024-25 world year. The betterment introduced multidisciplinary learning pathways, aggregate introduction and exit options and the Academic Bank of Credits. KSHEC besides facilitated a Statewide internship programme for students done a dedicated integer platform.

The assembly besides accelerated the integer translation of institutions done initiatives specified arsenic DIGICOL and the Kerala Resource for Education Enhancement and Planning (K-REAP), which seeks to modernise teaching, learning and administrative systems done learning absorption platforms and endeavor assets readying solution.

SAAC, modelled connected the lines of the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), had been introduced arsenic a Kerala-specific model for organization appraisal built astir technological temper, secular outlook and societal inclusivity. KIRF was besides launched arsenic India’s archetypal state-level ranking strategy for higher acquisition institutions.

KSHEC is besides credited with introducing and expanding programmes specified arsenic the Kairali Research Awards and the Chief Minister’s Nava Kerala Postdoctoral Fellowships. As portion of internationalisation efforts aimed astatine positioning the State arsenic a planetary higher acquisition destination, the ‘Study successful Kerala’ inaugural and Scholar Connect level were launched.