UGC allows 3 more universities to offer online degree programmes

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has allowed three more higher education institutions (HEIs) to start full-fledged online programmes. The Maharishi Markandeshwar deemed-to-be-university, Haryana, University of Mumbai, Maharashtra and Chandigarh University, Punjab have been added to the UGC list of HEIs entitled to start full-fledged online programmes without prior approval of the UGC.

As per the latest communication from UGC, the Maharishi Markandeshwar deemed-to-be-university will be offering courses such as Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), Bachelor of Commerce Honours (BCom Hons) and Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA) in online mode. The University of Mumbai will offer an MA in sociology, and the Chandigarh University MA economics, MA English and MSc mathematics programmes. These programmes will begin from the July 2022 session onwards.

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As per UGC, it is the responsibility of the universities to ensure that these courses abide by the provisions of UGC. HEIs are not allowed to offer online programmes under any franchise arrangement. These educational institutions are mandated to have complete ownership of these online programmes. "The HEI shall abide by the conditions such as the number of seats, recognition period, etc. mentioned in the relevant Regulatory Authority letter," said a statement from UGC.

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The HEIs can continue with the online programmes till they comply with the NAAC or NIRF ranking requirements as per the UGC regulations. The institutions will have to discontinue the course in case these standards are not met, and also inform UGC regarding the same.