Madras University to Get Approval for 48 Distance Courses in a Week

University Grant Commission (UGC) denied the approval for 48 courses offered by the University of Madras's Institute of Distance Education (IDE).

Now according to the university, the defect has been rectified and the approval is expected within a weak. 

Several reports claimed that the Madras University Institute of Distance Education was running various distance education programmes without the prescribed number of faculties as per the UGC distance education regulations.

The university applied for UGC recognition, a statutory organisation, for the coordination, determination and maintenance of standards of teaching, examination and research in university education, for 51 Undergraduate and Postgraduate courses but was granted permission to offer only three programmes.

The higher education regulatory body denied permission for other subjects pointing out deficiency to be rectified within a month.

These courses are one of the main sources of revenue generation for the university. If the UGC discontinue the approval, the varsity will incur a big loss.
According to some reports, IDE offers 97 courses which are able to attract over 25,000 students every year.

This help in generating over Rs 13 crore, which is 7% of its total revenue.

Last month it was reported that -- the Syndicate of the University decided to transfer faculty members of the regular department to IDE to get the UGC approval for conducting distance education programs.

As per UGC the program-wise recognition status and program wise deficiency as applicable were approved to Higher Educational Institutes by August 16, 2018.

It also said in a recent notification: "For the programs found deficient, HEIs can submit representations within 30 days along with documentary evidence for consideration for recognition in the second stage. Thereafter, if the programs still remaining deficient, HEIs have an appeal option”.

"The University has rectified the defects and waiting for the UGC approval for the remaining UG and PG programs. The approval for the remaining courses is expected within one week". The Madras University said.