UGC warns of action against institutions that offer

online programmes in ties with Edtech firms

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked

higher educational institutions (HEIs) to annul the franchise
arrangements with the EdTech companies and warned of action if
the institutions collaborate with these firms to offer online
programmes.

The UGC in its latest notice said, “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 ODL/ online modes in
association with some universities/institutions
recognized/entitled by the UGC.”

“Such a franchisee arrangement is not permissible and action will

be taken against defaulting EdTech companies as well as HEIs
under applicable laws/ rules/ regulations,” it informed
universities.

HEls are recognized and declared entitled by the UGC for offering
ODL and/or Online programmes as per the UGC (Open and
Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes)
Regulations, 2020 and its amendment.

The UGC further said that the regulations mandate that the
recognised institutions shall not offer ODL and/or online
programme(s) under any franchise arrangement and the HEIs
themselves are completely responsible for the programmes.

It also informed students that the details of HEIs and the

programmes recognized and entitled by UGC is available
at deb.ugc.ac.in.

By amending its ABC regulations from 2019, the UGC recently

brought all universities, colleges and autonomous educational
institutions, irrespective of their National Assessment and
Accreditation Council (NAAC) rating and National Institute
Ranking Framework (NIRF) ranks, are eligible to participate in the
Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) system.

Source: https://news.careers360.com/ugc-warns-of-action-
against-institutions-offer-online-programmes-in-ties-edtech-firms