ELIGIBILITY, TARGET GROUP AND DURATION:
Lecturers working in universities and colleges that are included under Section 2(f) of the UGC Act, even though they may not yet be fit to be included under Section 12 (B), may be invited to participate in the Orientation Programmes and Refresher Courses. The teachers of colleges that do not yet come within the purview of Section 2(f), but have been affiliated to a university for at least two years, will be permitted to participate in the programmes/courses.
For the Orientation Programmes, newly appointed lecturers up to six years of continuous service and all those teachers who require orientation for getting a higher grade will be allowed. Attendance should be a condition for confirmation and the same course will be counted for promotion to a senior scale.
For the Refresher Courses, participation in the Orientation Programme is a prerequisite for admission. However, in exceptional cases a teacher may be allowed to complete a Refresher Course prior to completion of an Orientation Programme. Also, there should be a minimum gap of one year between two courses, though it may be relaxed if an adequate number of participants is not available or it is essential for the teacher to fulfill eligibility conditions for career advancement.
The Orientation Programme will be of four weeks duration, with minimum of 24 working days (excluding Sundays) and 144 contact hours (six hours a day). The refresher course will be of three weeks duration, with minimum of 18 working days (excluding Sundays) and 108 contact hours (six hours a day). If a participant fails to complete the requisite contact hours in a programme, he may be permitted to make up for the backlog hours at own cost in another programme by the UGC- Human Resource Development Cente concerned.
Part time/ Ad hoc/temporary/contract teachers who have been teaching for at least three academic sessions in an institution which has been affiliated to a University for at least two years may be permitted to participate in the Orientation Programme/ Refresher Course to enhance their skills.
Universities and colleges will allow interested teachers to attend UGC- Human Resource Development Cente programmes based on their eligibility. Otherwise valid reasons will have to be intimated to the teacher concerned, as the courses organized for their teachers will ultimately benefit the university and college. Temporary arrangements in place of teachers deputed for such courses may be made by internal adjustment if required. However, it may not be possible for the Commission to provide any additional grant to pay either honorarium or salary of the substitute, if appointed.