UGC amends online, distance learning guidelines to attract foreign students

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has amended the UGC Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes Regulations, 2020, to attract more foreign students to enroll in UGC-recognised online courses.

The amendment was made after the ministry of external affairs observed that many applications from foreign students were being rejected due to either submission of expired passports or non-submission of passports.

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The ministry had also requested UGC to consider ‘any national Identity with photograph’ and be exempted from the mandatory requirement of Passport to ease foreign students’ admission in India, as per reports.

As per the amended regulations, “Provided that for admission of foreign or international learners through the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, in UGC recognised or entitled online programmes, any national identity with photograph of their country of residence shall also be acceptable for authentication.”

In April, the UGC approved guidelines on joint-degree, dual-degree and twinning programmes. This will also facilitate academic collaboration between a foreign and an Indian higher education institution through which three types of programmes can be offered.

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“These regulations may be called the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Second Amendment Regulations, 2022,” the UGC said.