Universities not allowed to offer Degree, Diploma with EdTech companies: UGC
UGC has stated that franchisee arrangement is not permissible and action will be taken against defaulting EdTech companies as well as Hels
The apex higher education regulatory, University Grants Commission has asked universities to not offer Online or Distance Learning Degree or Diploma courses by partnering with EdTechs. The UGC has also warned of punitive action against defaulting universities and EdTech companies offering such courses.
Taking note of advertisements across various platforms like newspapers, television and social media by EdTech companies offering Degree or Diploma courses the UGC has also advised students to check the recognition status of programmes on the UGC website before enrolling for any such course.
Higher Educational Institutions(HEls) are recognized or declared entitled by the UGC for offering Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online programmes as per the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendment.
As per the UGC Notice, the Regulations mandate that these HEls shall not offer ODL and/or Online programme(s) under any franchise arrangement and the HEls themselves are completely responsible for the programme(s). The details of the HEls and the programmes recognized /entitled by UGC is available on httas://deb.ugc.ac.in.
Wrong Advertisements by EdTech companies
The UGC through its notice has stated that it has come to the notice of UGC recently that some EdTech companies are giving advertisements in newspaper/social media/television etc. that they are offering degree and diploma programmes in ODUOnline modes in association with some universities or institutions recognized/entitled by the UGC.
It has stated that such a franchisee arrangement is not permissible and action will be taken against defaulting EdTech companies as well as HEls under applicable laws/ rules/ regulations.
“All the students are also hereby advised that they should check the recognition/entitlement status of the programmes on UGC(DEB) website mentioned above before enrolling in any course,” reads UGC notice.
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Abhay an alumnus of IIMC and Delhi University, has over a decade long experience of reporting on various beats of journalism. During his free time he prefers listening to music or play indoor and outdoor games.