Background 

The evolution of technology has drastically changed our lives, broken the traditional conventions, brought new concepts, dimension in our demand and sped up other trends. On the other hand the pandemic situation also has drastically transformed the conventional lifestyle. Gradually we are adapting to the new normal practices. For example, we are experiencing online education, blended learning systems, virtual events opportunity and also a new form of HR requirements for the global job market. This is happening because the tech savvy Z generation also have interest in Technology and have different ways of thinking and leading life. In addition to that, the pandemic has changed the traditional way of doing work. As part of that we found that a new trend has been boosted up among the employers and that is the skill based learning and hiring approach. The traditional education systems, route for higher study, study location, CGPA or four years long degree route is no longer the concentration of the employers. Globally employers are looking forward to sector specific skills experts. Therefore the Global Job Market has also changed into a skilled based job market rather than degree based job market. Skills are considered as the new currency in the job market. So, the Academic Institutions are focusing on producing skilled human resources and Industry has also changed the traditional recruitment criterion. 

Based on this new shift in the Global Industry and Academia, the idea of "Skill Bank of Academic Credits (SBAC)” has been developed. The initiative has been taken focusing on skill development needs and considering the challenges and opportunities of the technological revolution now and in the unseen future. Skill Bank of Academic Credits is envisioned as a Digital Skills Bank that will work like an academic and skills locker for the credit/skills earned by a student/graduates/professionals from any course or program whether it is online, offline or blended or recognized vendor certification as per SBAC guidelines. It is designed to work as a key tool to facilitate assessment for seamless transition of students/graduates/professionals from campus to campus, campus to industry and from industry to industry.
 

Overview about SBAC

The motto of SBAC is ‘Facilitate lifelong learning for all’. The Skill Bank for Academic Credits (SBAC), a national-level facility will promote the flexibility of the curriculum framework and interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary academic mobility of students across the Vocational Institutes, Polytechnics, Universities, Vendors, Industry Bodies etc. in the country with appropriate “credit transfer” mechanism. It shall be a mechanism to facilitate the students to choose their own learning path to attain a Degree/ Diploma/ Certificate, working on the principle of multiple entry and exit as well as anytime, anywhere, and any level of learning. SBAC shall enable the integration of multiple disciplines of higher learning leading to the desired learning outcomes including increased creativity, innovation, higher order thinking skills and critical analysis. SBAC shall provide significant autonomy to the students by providing an extensive choice of courses for a program of study, flexibility in curriculum, novel and engaging course options across a number of higher education disciplines/ institutions. The multiple entry and exit options for students is facilitated at the Vocational Institutes, Polytechnics, Vendors, Industry Bodies, undergraduate and Master’s levels. It would facilitate credit accumulation through the facility created by the SBAC scheme in the “Academic Bank Account” opened for students across the country to transfer and consolidate the credits earned by them by undergoing courses in any of the eligible HEIs. The SBAC allows for credit redemption through the process of commuting the accrued credits in the Academic Bank Account maintained in the SBAC for the purpose of fulfilling the credits requirements for the award of certificate/diploma/degree by the authorized HEIs. Upon collecting a certificate, diploma or degree, all the credits earned till then, in respect of that certificate, diploma or degree, shall stand debited and deleted from the account concerned. HEIs offering programs with the multiple entry and exit system need to register in the SBAC to enable acceptance of multidisciplinary courses, credit transfer, and credit acceptance.