Universities to be Penalised for Deceiving Students of Distance Learning

Now, universities and other institutes that offer distance-learning courses will have to face penalization from the government if they deceive students. The Ministry of Human Resource and Development has approved some new regulations for open and distance learning. Some of the major highlights of the approved regulations are installing CCTV cameras in the examination centre, maintaining qualified faculty and others.

As per the approved regulations, the universities offering distance-learning courses have to seek fresh approval from University Grants Commission (UGC). All the government and private institutes offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) come under this new regulation. University Grants Commission will notify other regulations soon.

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One of the senior officials of HRD Ministry explained that the students who acquire degree through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode from a non-recognised university or institution would have no use. These degrees will not be useful for either government service nor pursuing higher education.

Every year, around 40 lakh students enroll in distance learning courses in the country. The varsities or institutes that offer ODL course must seek fresh approval from UGC and if any varsity, institute fails to do so, the degree offered by these varsities, or institutes will not have any validity.

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With an objective to enhance quality education in distance and open learning courses, the varsities or institutes must submit the details of faculty members for seeking approval. Currently, 140 universities or institutes got approval from University Grants Commission for offering courses in Open and Distance Learning mode.