Distance learning courses in Annamalai Univ are invalid, UGC warns students

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has warned students not to join distance learning courses at Annamalai University in Tamil Nadu since they are invalid because the varsity doesn’t have required approvals from them.

On March 25, the UGC issued a notice, which stated that the university has been running Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes, which are “in gross violation of all conditions laid down under UGC” rules and regulations.

UGC secretary Rajnish Jain told PTI that it has come to their notice that Annamalai University is running the distance education programmes and admitting students in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) courses without UGC’s approval.

“This is in gross violation of all conditions laid down under the UGC (Open and Distance learning) Regulations, 2017 and its amendments from time to time and UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programme and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020,” he said. No higher educational institution can offer distance learning courses without the UGC nod.

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According to Jain, the Annamalai University was only given permission to offer programmes in ODL mode till academic session 2014-15. They have not granted any further recognition to the university to offer ODL courses.

Therefore, Jain said, that all the ODL programmes offered by the university now are invalid. Further, he said, “the university is solely responsible for the consequences on the careers  of students, if any, arising out of the same.”

Moreover, Jain issued a warning to the general public, students and other stakeholders asking them through this public notice not to take admission in any programme offered by Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu through ODL mode. “Taking admissions in such programmes may jeopardise the careers of the students, in absence of required recognition,” Jain asserted.

Meanwhile, Annamalai University’s websites states that it offers more than 200 programmes under its ODL and that the courses are approved by the Distance Education Council of New Delhi. The university however did not react to this public notice.