The University Grants Commission (UGC) has been into grave discussions since the start of lockdown all over India as it has been giving confusing decisions on the education system of college-going scholars. Recently, it has cautioned against admission to a dozen higher educational courses, including engineering, hotel management and architecture, as they cannot be availed fully through online, or open and distance learning (ODL) modes. Along with the 12 streams, MPhil or PhD degrees also cannot be offered through online and open and distance learning (ODL) modes.
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This is primarily because such courses need a sizeable amount of practice beyond classroom teaching which is not always possible via ODL or online. The notification comes as online education gains traction, with most campuses being shut given the coronavirus pandemic. The UGC's caution is against admission to courses like "engineering, medicine, law, dental, pharmacy, nursing, architecture, physiotherapy, agriculture, hotel management, culinary studies, valuation of real estate, any other program not permitted by any statutory council or regulatory bodies."
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"Apart from the above, MPhil and Ph.D. programs in all disciplines through ODL, and online mode, are also prohibited," the regulator said. To be sure, this won’t prevent institutions from offering 20% of their course through recognized online mode during the pandemic, which has already been approved by the UGC. The UGC notice added that private or public-funded universities cannot offer their programs through franchising arrangements with private coaching institutions for admitting learners and conducting courses through open and distance learning and online mode.
