Representative imageOn Friday, the UGC released a list of programmes permitted to admit students for the academic year 2018-2019. The recognition period is two to five years, based on regulations. Missing in that list are programmes from 35 public universities and many of them are now awaiting the UGC’s clarification on programme-wise deficiencies.
In a public notice issued on Monday, the UGC said its regulations had multi-step recognition process. In the first stage, programmes complying with provisions of the regulations have got recognition and now the UGC will issue a letter detailing programme-wise deficiency to institutes on August 16. Following that, institutes can make a representation within 30 days to the UGC and deficiencies can be “rectified”.
The state is one of the worst-affected, with none of the 14 courses of the University of Mumbai’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) on the list. Shivaji University, Marathwada University and Mahatma Gandhi University are also affected. YCMOU, which has 7 lakh students across its over 200 courses, has only 17 of its programme eligible for the 2018-19 admission cycle.
“Once we get a letter enlisting our deficiencies, we will comply with all of them and re-apply under the review process,” said Vinod Malale, PRO of the Mumbai University’s Institute of Distance Learning. Higher education minister Vinod Tawade called upon the UGC chairman and expressed concern over the admission process to various programmes that have not been enlisted by the UGC.
