New Delhi: Annamalai University's Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses are declared invalid by UGC. In a public warning, the Higher Education Regulator advised students not to enrol in ODL courses given by Annamalai University because they contravene the commission's rules and regulations.
In a notice dated March 25, UGC stated that the varsity has been admitting students under the open distance learning (ODL) programmes in “gross violation of all conditions laid down under the UGC Rules (Open and Distance Learning Regulations, 2017) and its amendments from time to time”, the latest being the regulations issued in 2020.
It went on to say that Annamalai University was only acknowledged to offer open and distant learning courses until the 2014-15 academic year, after which no recognition was granted.
“The University is solely responsible for the career consequences of the students, if any, arising out of the same”, it further added.
While warning the students, Rajnish Jain, Secretary of UGC, stated that enrollment in such programmes may damage the students' careers due to the UGC's lack of recognition of the programmes.
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Annamalai University Vice-Chancellor RM Kathiresan told, “We have filed a writ petition in the Madras High Court [in this regard]. We have recently been accredited by NAAC and the results are expected to be out by this week. Once the results are out we are confident of getting the highest grade and there won’t be a hindrance for us to offer distance education programmes.”
According to him, around 40,000 students from the state have enrolled in the ODL programmes.
Additionally, he said, “We are operating only on the verdict of the High Court. I joined only three months ago but the University officials have given me to understand that we are permitted as per the writ petition. Unless the UGC gets that stay vacated, we are valid”.
The UGC has rejected permission to administer ODL programmes of Annamalai University to institutions with a NAAC score of less than 3.26 on a scale of 5. Annamalai University received an A grade from NAAC, which ranges from 3.01 to 3.25 points.
The UGC allows institutions with 3.26 points to provide online courses. The VC stated that he had not yet received notification from the UGC.
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