No Distance Learning Courses de-recognised so far, UGC clarifies

NEW DELHI, AUGUST 13: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued clarification over reports of de-recognition of distance learning courses of as many as 35 universities, it has said that ‘so far no open course of applicant universities has been de-recognised’. The UGC has also clarified that the recognition is programme-specific process; not university-specific.

Earlier, it was reported that the UGC has cancelled the recognition of Open and Distance Learning courses being run by 35 state and central universities, thus, posing a huge question mark on future of thousands of students all over the country.

The UGC in its Public Notice issued on August 12 has clarified that process of recognition of Distance Education programmes of universities for the year 2018-19 and onwards is still on, and so far none of the open courses of the applicant universities has been “de-recognised”.

The Notice reads, “The programmes complying to provisions of UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017 and its amendments get recognition in the first stage. For the programmes found deficient, Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs ) can submit representations within 30 days along with documentary evidence for consideration for recognition in the second stage. Thereafter, if the Programmes are still deficient, HEIs have an appeal option.”