Source: University World News
The Supreme Court of India has issued a restraint on all deemed universities preventing them from conducting distance or correspondence degree courses from 2018-19 without specific permission and inspection.
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UGC Bans Distance Education in Non-University Institutes
Source: Economic Times
Across the country, dozens of B-schools are raking in crores by offering diploma management courses via distance education.
AICTE to allow technical courses through distance mode
Source: www.mangaloreinformation.com via PwC – EdLive
The Human Resource Development Minister M M Pallam Raju has informed that the AICTE will allow more technical courses including engineering through correspondence i.e. distance learning mode, as long as the laboratory work for these courses is conducted through face-to-face sessions.
‘Technical education’ as defined under the AICTE Act 1987, includes programme of education, research and training, engineering, technology, architecture, town planning, management, pharmacy and applied arts and crafts. Currently, students can only pursue technical courses such as management (MBA) and computer application (BCA, MCA) programmes through distance learning. Till date, the AICTE was of the view that distance education programmes in engineering should not be offered till proper standards have been put in place. So this provision for allowing studying engineering through correspondence comes with a clause.
“Only those students who have at least one regular classroom diploma or degree and with some work experience are eligible to apply for these distance technical education degrees. Also, this relaxation will not apply to architecture and pharmacy courses,” said AICTE Chairman, Dr S S Mantha. He added that based on recommendations of several committees, the council has decided to allow more technical courses through correspondence. However, the final decision will be taken later. The proposal is likely to be finalised by February 2013.
UGC may allow pursuit of two degrees at the same time
Source: The Times of India via PwC – EdLive
If the UGC has its way, then students enrolled in a regular degree programme will soon be able to simultaneously pursue an additional degree programme through open and distance mode from the same or a different university. Additionally, students can pursue a certificate, diploma, advanced or postgraduate diploma programme simultaneously either in regular or open and distance mode in the same university or from other institutions. An expert panel of the UGC made these recommendations, apart from making out a strong case for universities to promote joint degree programmes in association with other university or institutions of higher learning. The UGC has urged the vice chancellors of universities to give their views on the recommendations within a fortnight to enable the panel to take a final call.