In a first, students can now opt for solo singing classes, others are free to explore poetry, and mythology can be mulled over too by the undergraduate students at Mumbai University’s (MU) distance learning wing, all thanks to the National Education Policy (NEP). While the NEP has already seen the light of day at conventional colleges, MU’s Centre for Distance and Online Education (CDOE) has begun enrollment under its NEP-guided undergraduate courses for the first time.

Having already provided distance learning to over 24,000 students last year, CDOE has now geared up to offer a four-year degree wherein a student has the option to exit the degree after every academic year. They also have an option to re-enter the courses after a hiatus to pick up where they left off.

“Most of the pupils are working professionals who want to upskill themselves. We also account for students who have experienced a shift in their priorities, owing to circumstances, parenthood, migration, or simply marriage. The option to exit or enter courses helps students regain their momentum,” said Prof Dr Shivaji D Sargar, director of CDOE.