Exploring Dual Degree Programmes in Indian Management Education- Analyzing Awareness, Willingness and Students' Expectations

In today’s era, all Higher Educational Institutes (HEIs) are pressing for outcome-based education (Singh, 2020) in terms of employability, skill development and entrepreneurship development. The dual degree Programmes can be of great help in doing so. These Programmes are aimed at enhancing the learners’ employability (Culver, 2012) in the global context through an extensive international exposure. In the year 2020, the National Education Policy was introduced in India so as to address the issues related to employability, skill development etc. This in turn would provide them with a meaningful and satisfying life. The essence of this policy (UGC, 2022) is to make education more flexible, learner centric, holistic and experiential. In the current landscape of higher education (Knight, 2011) the Joint Degree, Dual/Double Degree Programmes etc. have a major role to play in the holistic development of the learners. The same is manifested in the increasing number and types of such Programmes in the world. Keeping pace with the time and emerging trends, the University Grants Commission (UGC, 2022) has delineated guidelines on Dual Degree Programmes in India. The subsequent Gazette Notification (UGC, Acad-Collab-Regulations, 2022) facilitates the introduction of Twinning Programmes, Joint Degree Programmes and Dual Degree Programmes in India. The present research work is an attempt to understand the concept of dual degree Programmes, the awareness about it and the students’ willingness to pursue dual degree programme. The study further emphasizes on the objectives of pursuing dual degree programme and factors to be considered while taking admission in such Programmes. The researchers have studied the challenges, and opportunities therein, students’ perspective and their expectations from such Programmes in Indian management education. It is observed in research work that, students perceive dual degree programmes as a crucial steps towards securing a meaningful employment, in turn a successful career and not just as an academic endeavor. In dual degree programmes, the students are looking for conceptual clarity, its application in real life situations and skill development. Return on investment, skill enhancement, enriched career opportunities and long-term earning potential are major considerations for pursuing dual degree. In addition to this, the present research work makes an attempt to provide a framework for its constructive and effective implementation in higher educational institutions (HEIs) more specifically management education in India.