UGC to Allow 900 Autonomous Colleges Provide Online Degrees
UGC to allow 900 autonomous colleges across the country offering the UG and PG courses remotely from July 2022. Find out the detailed news here.
Students need not be disappointed and go for their second preferences if they are not getting admissions in their desired colleges due to competitive cut off list for the academic year 2022-2023. In addition to universities, UGC is to allow approximately 900 autonomous colleges across the country to provide the online degree courses from July. The step has been taken to fulfill the major government reform in the online education sector to reach 50% gross enrolment ratio by 2035 in association with the NEP (national education policy) 2020.
At present, the universities has the sole authority to grant online degrees. However, the new order will allow all autonomous colleges to award online degrees without prior approval from UGC, as long as they comply with the regulations. The eligibility for admission to these online undergraduate degree's programmes will simply be "senior secondary pass", unlike conventional undergraduate degree programs that require scores at the 12th grade level.
Also Read:
The same criteria will apply to admission to online degree programs: passing the relevant undergraduate course. The only requirement for admission to these online undergraduate degree programs, in contrast to conventional programmes, is a senior secondary pass.
With the new framework, HEIs, including autonomous colleges, will also be able to offer courses in emerging fields that are not possible in person. Currently, courses taught in universities do not vary, regardless of the medium of instruction. The online programs will have the same flexibility as conventional programs according to NEP 2020 - such as four-year undergraduate programs with multiple and exit options.
Also Read:
According to the UGC chief, all other degree programmes can be offered online with the exception of professional and technical programmes that require laboratories and those that are prohibited by any regular authority.
Presently, the universities are offering 120 UG, two PG diplomas and 229 PG courses online. New Regulatory framework is made to enable all the autonomous colleges to give education online because if we adhere to only universities, then it will be limited. By doing this, it will enhance the learner’s access. We will be having various institutes participating in both PG and UG programmes online. Lastly, these online degrees will not be different from physically obtained degrees,” said Kumar.
For more updates/news, Stay tuned to Collegedekho!