The matter of the University Grants Commission (UGC) granting recognition to the courses offered by the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) will hinge on the latter complying with all the Open Distance Learning (ODL) parameters, UGC chairman Ved Prakash said on Thursday.
Prof. Prakash told reporters that the process of according recognition to the KSOU is under way but there are still a few inconsistencies that need to be sorted out. After this is done, recognition may follow, he said.
He said UGC was processing the KSOU case and the latter has already submitted the necessary documents. Approval will be given if the documents are found to be in order. “They have to comply with the existing norms for programmes under ODL and we are examining the matter at our level. If we find them in compliance, recognition will be granted,” he said.
When it was pointed out that KSOU has repeatedly claimed to have submitted all the documents, Prof. Prakash said UGC had sent two committees, which had found a few inconsistencies. KSOU has to submit the documents again after this. “It is these documents that are being examined now,” he said.
When asked for a specific time frame for the situation to be resolved, Prof. Prakash was non-committal.
The UGC withdrew recognition for KSOU courses in June 2015 citing violation of territorial jurisdiction and signing of memorandums of understanding with institutions from outside the State. The move has affected the career prospects of lakhs of students pursuing studies at the university through distance/open-learning mode.
[Source:-THE HINDU]