NMIMS issues clarification over UGC's notice barring institute's ODL, online programmes

On April 18, the University Grant Commission issued a public notice advising students and parents to stay cautioned against taking admission in any distance and online mode course offered by the  Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS). The institute has now shared its comment with Shiskha.com.

Following the UGC notice regarding debarment of online and distance learning courses offered by NMIMS for January-February 2023, July-August 2023 and January-February 2024 academic sessions, the management institute has stated that it is in the “process of examining the notice and working with all concerned to address the issue and resolve the situation at the earliest,” the institute told Shiksha.com.

On April 18, the University Grant Commission issued a public notice advising students and parents to stay cautioned against taking admission in any distance and online mode course offered by the  Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS). The commission through an official notice stated that it has taken such strict action against the business school due to gross violation of norms, according to media reports.

Worried students demand clarification

Following the reports on debarment of online and distance learning courses offered by NMIMS for January-February 2023, July-August 2023 and January-February 2024 academic sessions, social media handles started flooding with worried students who have already taken admission to NMIMS online and distance learning courses demanding clarification.

NMIMS comment on UGC's Notice

Upon contacting NMIMS, the institute told Shiskha.com, “We realise that this development may cause concern amongst our stakeholders, students, and parents. We are in the process of examining the notice and working with all concerned to address the issue and resolve the situation at the earliest. It is important to note that the UGC mandate is not applicable and does not affect any of our full-time and/or offline programs.”

“Our institution remains dedicated to delivering high-quality education and training to our students. We will make every effort to maintain the highest level of academic excellence in our programs,” the institute further added.

UGC's notice over debarment of ODL, distance learning programme offered by NMIMS 

The official notice released by UGC on barring the institute from offering ODL, distance learning programmes, stated, " It is for the information of the general public and all concerned stakeholders that in exercise of its power given under UGC Act, 1956 (as amended); UGC has notified University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 in the Gazette of India on 4th September, 2020. Subsequently, the first and second amendments in Principal Regulations have been notified on 01.07.2021 and 18.07.2022 respectively in the Gazette of India."

It further added, "Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Maharashtra has not adhered to the above regulations as it is in gross violations with regard to functioning of the Centre for Internal Quality Assurance (CIQA), quality of Self Learning Material/e-Learning Material (e-LM), nomenclature of Centre for Distance and Online Learning, Not following the fee refund policy promulgated by UGC and numerous continuous complaints being received against the I IEI from various stakeholders in offering ODL and Online Programmes."

"The commission has taken a serious view on the above violations and decided in its 566th meeting held on 23rd February, 2023, to debar/ban/withhold the HEI from offering ODL and Online programme for January-February 2023, July-August 2023 and January-February 2024 academic sessions even as entitled I lEI and/or Category-I HEI.

It may be noted that the said HEI may be allowed to run/offer ODL and Online programmes for academic session beginning in July-August, 2024 only pursuant to inspection/on-site visit by UGC and after obtaining necessary approvals from UGC.

Therefore, general public is advised not to take admission in any course/programme of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Maharashtra through Open and Distance Learning Mode and Online Mode for January-February 2023, July-August 2023 and January-February 2024, academic sessions," the Commission said. 

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