Distance learning : Varsities with NAAC 3.01 get clearance

Distance learning : Varsities with NAAC 3.01 get clearance

As per the message mailed by the UGC to the universities, only Vidyasagar university will not be able to admit students in the master degrees for the session of 2020-21.

Biswabrata Goswami

Statesman News Service

KRISHNAGAR, 3 JULY: In view of prevailing circumstances due to Covid-19 and the proposed new Integrated Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Regulations, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued permission to continue master degrees to the universities having NAAC score 3.01 and above on a four-point scale or having rank in Top-100 in overall category of NIRF.

The commission in its 546 th meeting held on 14 May has decided all the applications already received for July, 2020 academic session shall be treated as null and void in view of the proposed new Integrated ODL and Online Regulations.  

The UGC has also cancelled applications of 96 universities for recognition to offer programmes through ODL mode from academic session July, 2020 onwards.

UGC had invited applications from eligible HEIs for recognition of ODL programmes from 2020-21, academic session beginning July, 2020 and onwards vide public notice dated 1 November, 2019.

As per the message mailed by the UGC to the universities, only Vidyasagar university will not be able to admit students in the master degrees for the session of 2020-21.

In West Bengal, five universities – Kalyani, Burdwan, Rabindrabharati, Uttar Banga and Vidyasagar universities – conduct distance education along with their regular mode courses.

Of these five universities, Kalyani university has NAAC score 3.12 followed by Burdwan (3.11), Rabindrabharati (3.10),  Uttar Banga (3.05) and Vidyasagar university (2.86).

Prof, Sankar Kumar Ghosh, vice-chancellor of KU said, “Our university is developing. Apart from our regular courses, distance courses are getting importance day by day. In the distance mode only, we have more than 15000 students. At present, we are conducting eight courses, four in arts and four in science. In near future, we will start a few courses for honours degrees”.   
Courtesy: Images from iNET.