UGC raises bar for running open, distance learning courses
UGC raises bar for running open, distance learning courses
DH News Service, New Delhi, Feb 22 2018, 22:37 IST
Higher education institutions with at least 3.26 score on a 4-point accreditation scale and having completed five years of operations are alone eligible to run non-technical courses in open and distance learning (ODL) mode.
The courses have to be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A 3.26 score is a pre-requisite for obtaining approval of ODL programmes, according to amended UGC regulation.
"This (revised regulations) is to ensure that only the best higher education institutions get approval for offering ODL courses," official sources told DH.
The UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017 required institutions to only have "a valid accreditation" from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The regulations notified on June 23, 2017 did not specify the need for a minimum NAAC score to qualify.
The higher education regulator notified the UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Second Amendment Regulations, 2018 recently, raising the bar for institutions ready to offer ODL courses.
For institutions already having UGC approval for ODL programmes but lacking the required NAAC score, the revised regulations provide for a two-year time-frame to enhance their quality standards.
"Higher education institutes, which are either State or Central or State private universities and were given permission by the UGC to offer programmes in ODL mode for the academic session 2017-18 will be allowed to impart ODL education till the academic session 2019-20 to enable them reach the prescribed quality NAAC benchmark," the revised regulations stipulate.
The institutes, which fall in this category but are currently not accredited, will have to apply for the NAAC accreditation "within three months" from the date of issue of the revised regulations.
Approval soon
The UGC will soon invite applications for approval of the ODL programmes for the academic session 2018-19 under the revised regulations, an official said.
The regulations are applicable to all degree programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate level other than those in engineering, medicine, dental, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy and programmes "which are not permitted to be offered in distance mode by any other regulatory body." the official added.
UGC raises bar for running open, distance learning courses
DH News Service, New Delhi, Feb 22 2018, 22:37 IST
Higher education institutions with at least 3.26 score on a 4-point accreditation scale and having completed five years of operations are alone eligible to run non-technical courses in open and distance learning (ODL) mode.
The courses have to be approved by the University Grants Commission (UGC).
A 3.26 score is a pre-requisite for obtaining approval of ODL programmes, according to amended UGC regulation.
"This (revised regulations) is to ensure that only the best higher education institutions get approval for offering ODL courses," official sources told DH.
The UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Regulations, 2017 required institutions to only have "a valid accreditation" from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC).
The regulations notified on June 23, 2017 did not specify the need for a minimum NAAC score to qualify.
The higher education regulator notified the UGC (Open and Distance Learning) Second Amendment Regulations, 2018 recently, raising the bar for institutions ready to offer ODL courses.
For institutions already having UGC approval for ODL programmes but lacking the required NAAC score, the revised regulations provide for a two-year time-frame to enhance their quality standards.
"Higher education institutes, which are either State or Central or State private universities and were given permission by the UGC to offer programmes in ODL mode for the academic session 2017-18 will be allowed to impart ODL education till the academic session 2019-20 to enable them reach the prescribed quality NAAC benchmark," the revised regulations stipulate.
The institutes, which fall in this category but are currently not accredited, will have to apply for the NAAC accreditation "within three months" from the date of issue of the revised regulations.
Approval soon
The UGC will soon invite applications for approval of the ODL programmes for the academic session 2018-19 under the revised regulations, an official said.
The regulations are applicable to all degree programmes at undergraduate and post-graduate level other than those in engineering, medicine, dental, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy and programmes "which are not permitted to be offered in distance mode by any other regulatory body." the official added.
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