UGC nod must for private ventures

new delhi: detailing its stand on universities awarding degrees through private agencies or establishments, the university grants commission has said that any university proposing to enter into a collaboration with any private institution would be required to take prior approval from it. the universities may offer courses through distance mode but at their own centres.on the other hand, the all india council for technical education is troubled by the phenomenon of technical universities offering ``technical'' courses through ``distance mode'' through private enterprises. ``there is a moratorium on offering technical education through the distance mode,'' said advisor to aicte i k bhat. these universities are offering b sc, m sc and a wide array of diplomas through distance education, he added. the council is writing to identified state technical universities, asking them to put an end to this practise. ``these universities were set up to be able to affiliate technical institutes and ensure academic standards,'' he added. a student has even challenged one such university in the high court, singh added. earlier this week, the ugc had written to universities that were identified as awarding degrees through franchises, asking them to stop the practise ``immediately''. calling it a ``widespread menace of franchising'' leading to ``compromise'' in the standard of education, the commission has also decided that that no university should be allowed to go for off-campus private education franchise leading to award of its degrees. however, the ugc has decided to approve the award of degrees to students who are already enrolled in the programme. the ugc stand has evicted a strong reaction from franchises who claimed they are only a ``link'' between the university and the student. ``all the academic material is sent by the university, and even the examination is conducted by them,'' said a franchise owner. the ugc, however, in its letter has stressed that universities can conduct courses through their own departments, its constituent colleges and/or through its affiliated institutions. ``there is, however, no provision for leaving it to private institutions to conduct courses leading to award of degrees,'' it states. as per recent ugc guidelines, universities are permitted to impart education and award degrees through their own campus located elsewhere in the country or their off-shore campuses with the approval of the ugc.