UGC Warns against Distance, Online Education in 12 Courses, M.Phil, PhD Courses

The University Grants Commission has warned against admission to 12 higher educational courses, including engineering, hotel management and architecture, as they cannot be availed of entirely online or through open or distance learning modes.

M.Phil and PhD degree courses cannot be offered online or through ODL mode either. This is because these courses need a lot of practice beyond classroom teaching which is not always possible through online or ODL mode.

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The notification has come after online education has gained momentum, with campuses shut due to the coronavirus pandemic.

This will not prevent colleges and universities from offering 20 percent of their courses through recognized online mode during the pandemic, which has already been approved by the UGC.

The notice from UGC has also said that private or public-funded universities cannot offer their courses through franchising arrangements with private coaching institutes for admitting students or giving courses through online and ODL modes.

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It also urged that the admission procedure be carried out with transparency.

The regulator has asked learners “to verify all details as claimed by the higher educational institutions on its official website as all such HEIs that are recognised to offer ODL or online programs are required to upload all the details on their website.”