UGC bars NMIMS Mumbai from offering distance learning, online courses

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has barred Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) from offering distance learning and online programmes due to gross violation of norms. The commission has also cautioned potential students against taking admission in any course offered by the institute.

The UGC noted that NMIMS, Maharashtra did not adhere to the UGC regulations for offering online programmes. "Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Maharashtra has not adhered to the UGC regulations and is in gross violations with regard to functioning of the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA), quality of Self Learning Material and e-Learning Material (e-LM), nomenclature of Centre for Distance and Online Learning," UGC secretary Manish Joshi said.

The commission has decided to debar the institute from offering ODL and online programme for January-February 2023, July-August 2023 and January-February 2024 academic sessions.

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Established in 1981, the institute was accorded university status in 2003. "The institute was not following the fee refund policy promulgated by UGC and numerous continuous complaints being received against the HEI (higher education institution) from various stakeholders in offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes," the statement added.

However, "It may be allowed to offer ODL and online programmes for academic session beginning in July-August 2024 only pursuant to inspection or on-site visit by UGC and after obtaining necessary approvals from UGC," he said.