Top 100 Universities, Institutes with NAAC Rating above 3.26 Allowed to Offer Online Courses

The Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman made an announcement regarding the ‘PM eVIDYA’ programme on May 17 for giving multi-mode access to e-education under which the top 100 universities are allowed to begin online courses by May 30, 2020. All educational institutes in the nation have been shut since March due to the COVID-19 situation and the subsequent lockdown.

Now, UGC has stated that it is coming up with new guidelines as per which institutes with NAAC rating of 3.26 and above or the top 100 NIRF ranked institutes can offer online programmes without any permission from UGC. This is in line with the E-Vidya programme announced by the PM.

Also Read: UGC Disapproves Online Content Fee Proposal

UGC has revisited the legal framework towards digital and distance learning for not only the 100 top-ranked institutes but also the good institutes. UGC Chairman, DP Singh said that the institutes and universities will need to make sure they have the needed infrastructure for supporting the online programmes as well as trained faculty to manage online classes. This is likely to be challenging as there is no face to face interaction but only remote interaction.

Institutes with NAAC rating between 3.01 and 3.26 are required to apply to the UGC for getting approval in conducting or starting online degree programmes. The HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ mentioned that the UGC is working on finalising the list of 100 universities which will offer online degree courses. He has also asked the institutes to register themselves on NAAC and get accreditation for their improvement.

These universities can begin the online degree courses automatically from May 30 and do not require any fresh approval from the education regulating bodies for the same. She also mentioned that the ‘PM eVIDYA’ programme will have ‘Diksha’ including e-content and QR coded energised textbooks for all grades. It would be known as ‘one nation, one digital platform’.

Also Read: Six JNU Schools and Special Centres to Conduct End-Semester Exams Online

The Finance Minister had also made an announcement regarding the Swaym Prabha DTH channels which were launched to reach out to those who were unable to access the internet. Now, 12 more channels will be added. There will be one earmarked channel for classes 1-12 and it will have recorded and live programmes on all working days for six hours with three repeat telecasts. Radio, community radio, podcasts and special e-content will also be used extensively for the visually and hearing impaired. The government through these various steps is making sure that the students do not suffer any academic loss due to the COVID-19 lockdown. The government will also launch ‘Manodarpan’ which will be an initiative for offering psychosocial support to the teachers, students and the families for the emotional well-being of the students.