Disruption of UGC functioning puts paid to Kerala’s plans in open and distance learning
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Delay by UGC’s Distance Education Bureau in opening its internet portal for functions comes as a blow for Sree Narayana Guru Open University
The partial disruption of the functioning of University Grants Commission (UGC) has put paid to the State’s dream of bringing distance schooling programs underneath the Sree Narayana Guru Open University (SNGOU).
With the outcomes of the Plus two examinations anticipated quickly, the federal government is probably going to allow Kerala University and Calicut University to proceed their distance learning programmes for an additional 12 months.
While a Kerala High Court order had prompted the SNGOU to defer its efforts to launch tutorial programmes in the open and distance learning (ODL) mode final 12 months, the college had made all efforts to put its greatest foot ahead in the meantime by framing the syllabus for 20 UG and 9 PG tutorial programmes. The college had deliberate to allow college students to acquire single, double and triple main.
However, the delay by the UGC’s Distance Education Bureau (DEB) in opening its internet portal for submitting functions for ODL programs has come as a blow for the college.
SNGOU registrar P.N. Dileep mentioned the college has ready itself to apply for the UGC recognition for its distance schooling programs. “However, the COVID-19 situation in New Delhi has apparently stalled the operations of the DEB. While the bureau had last opened its portal in October last, it was expected to reopen this March. This has not happened thus far,” he identified.
He added that the popularity course of additionally entailed an inspection of the amenities and preparations that would eat extra time.
Admissions halved
While almost 90,000 college students used to enrol for UG and PG distance schooling programs in the State, admissions for such programmes had almost halved final 12 months due to the uncertainty that surrounded the SNGOU’s programmes. This was attributed to the ordinance promulgated for its launch that had barred different universities from providing ODL programs and non-public registrations.
The problem had come up for dialogue at a gathering of college vice chancellors that was convened by Higher Education Minister R. Bindu few days in the past. Both V.P. Mahadevan Pillai and M.K. Jayaraj, the Vice Chancellors of Kerala and Calicut Universities respectively, expressed their willingness to proceed their ODL programmes.
Kerala University, which at present possessed the DEB recognition that’s legitimate for an additional 12 months, had admitted shut to 12,000 college students to its School of Distance Education final 12 months.
Defects rectified
Despite failing to obtain the DEB nod, the Calicut University had admitted almost 35,000 college students final 12 months for its ODL programmes after rectifying defects that have been flagged in its software. While the DEB remained “incommunicado”, the college continued its efforts to acquire approval. Nonetheless, the college certified the UGC’s standards for ODL programs with its NAAC grading of 3.13, Dr. Jayaraj identified.
The UGC permitted universities to provide ODL programmes if it has a minimal NAAC rating of 3.01 or figures among the many top-100 ranks in the National Institutional Ranking Framework.
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