UGC warns of action against institutions that offer online programmes in ties with Edtech firms

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked higher educational institutions (HEIs) to annul the franchise arrangements with the EdTech companies and warned of action if the institutions collaborate with these firms to offer online programmes.

The UGC in its latest notice said, “It has come to the notice of UGC recently that some EdTech companies are giving advertisements in newspaper/ social media/ television etc. that they are offering degree and diploma programmes in ODL/ online modes in association with some universities/institutions recognized/entitled by the UGC.”

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“Such a franchisee arrangement is not permissible and action will be taken against defaulting EdTech companies as well as HEIs under applicable laws/ rules/ regulations,” it informed universities.

HEls are recognized and declared entitled by the UGC for offering ODL and/or Online programmes as per the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendment.

The UGC further said that the regulations mandate that the recognised institutions shall not offer ODL and/or online programme(s) under any franchise arrangement and the HEIs themselves are completely responsible for the programmes.

It also informed students that the details of HEIs and the programmes recognized and entitled by UGC is available at deb.ugc.ac.in .

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By amending its ABC regulations from 2019, the UGC recently brought all universities, colleges and autonomous educational institutions, irrespective of their National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) rating and National Institute Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks, are eligible to participate in the Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) system.