No retrospective recognition for distance learning courses: UGC

NEWDELHI:The University Grants Commission (UGC), which regulates higher education in the country, has made it clear that “unapproved” distance learning courses offered by any university or college will not get recognition retrospectively. It has said that those, who take admission in such programmes, will not be entitled to any benefits.

The UGC has warned educational institutions against deviating from the norms in this regard. The regulator held that private universities, created under state acts, shall also strictly follow the requirements stipulated. “Under no circumstances, retrospective or ex-post facto, recognition to any course through the Open Distance Learning mode shall be granted by the UGC,” the regulator said.

The UGC said the decisions were taken following the recommendations of a three-member Human Resource Development ministry panel following top court directions. No course other than the one that finds a place on the list of approved courses would be recognised and a candidate, who studies unrecognised courses cannot claim any benefit.

The commission directed all educational institutions to follow the regulations related to open distance learning. If any deviation by higher education institutions is noticed, it would entail not only withdrawal of permission or recognition for such open distance learning courses but also for other courses offered by the institutions on the regular and conventional mode, it said.

“Private universities, created under state enactments, shall be under obligation to strictly follow the requirements..., issued from time to time including those under the UGC (Open Distance Learning) Regulations of 2017.”

“The purpose of open distance learning is to supplement the conventional mode by reaching the unreached...This purpose can only be served if ODL is able to make quality educational intervention,” said ex-Indira Gandhi National Open University Vice chancellor Prof M Aslam.