Madras University to shut 30 distance education centres

Madras University has decided to close about 30 distance education study centres located in Chennai and outside Tamil Nadu from the academic session commencing in 2017. The decision has been taken in compliance with University Grants Commission (UGC) order in which a restriction has been put on universities/ colleges offering distance education programmes outside their territorial jurisdiction.

It may be noted that students enrolled in distance education programmes offered at Madras University till 2016 need not to worry. Their career will not affected by the decision as all study centres of the varsity have been instructed to conduct exams for the next three years (December 2019/ January 2020) for current students.

Currently, Institute of Distance Education (IDE) of Madras University has about 50 study centres. Out of these 28 centres are located outside the region of Tamil Nadu in countries such as Sri Lanka, Kuwait, and Nepal. Also, about 15 distance education centres are located in the districts of Chennai, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur.

Also read: UGC Approved Distance Education Courses & Universities

As per sources, IDE of Madras University was a good source of revenue generation for the varsity. However, due to UGC stricture there has been a drop in IDE revenue and student enrolment since past two years. In the academic session, 2015-16, IDE earned revenue of about Rs 44 crore. In the same year, student enrolment at IDE decreased by about 40% to 22,000 students. Thereafter, in 2016-17, the revenue of IDE dipped even further.

According to media reports, distance education programmes of only two universities in Tamil Nadu are recognised by UGC. The two universities include Bharathiar University and Madurai Kamaraj University. After Madras University’s decision on closing IDE centres, these two universities are also likely to comply with UGC order soon on offering distance education programmes out of territorial jurisdiction.