Guidelines you must know set by UGC for Distance Education

Distance education, in other words known as online learning has been prevalent for the past 5 decades, and since then every university and institute in India has been offering online programs for various courses. The course is mainly applied by working professionals and those who can’t afford classroom sessions. But over the period of time, the standard of open learning has been complained by takers. 

Institutions including deemed, private and public universities have started cashing on situation by offering distance education in section of programmes. However, with sub-standard and poor standard of facilities has degraded the situation.  Some universities are even offering online course against UGC norms, which eventually bring the student or working professionals into problem during jobs.

UGC guidelines for Distance Learning:

University Grant Commission (UGC) has set some guidelines on universities offers online programs. Mentioned below are few:

·         Courses which need practical knowledge should not be included in open learning. They need to be included under full time course. Only which do not involve practical course, can be included in distance mode.

·         Proper framework must be essential in distance education mode. The framework must indicate number of credits required, list of courses with assigned credits, reading reference in addition to self-learning material, hours of study, contact classes at study centers, assignments, examination etc.

·         Having an official approval from UGC to offer distance learning is very important. No institute has the power to offer online program without UGC approval.  The same goes with the accreditation.