The University Grants Commission (UGC) has informed that it does not recognise the open and distance learning courses offered by Periyar University at Salem in Tamil Nadu and cautioned students against taking admission for such courses. The Commission issued a statement on Tuesday after it noticed that the university had allegedly violated the UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, in running its distance education programmes.
"It has come to the notice of the Commission through various communications received in UGC ollice that Periyar University, Tamil Nadu is functioning without a full time Director, inadequate full time faculty, inadequate non-teaching stalf, not yet established centre ald running ODL programmes without prior approval of UGC in gross violation of conditions laid down under UGC (Open and Distance Learning Regulations, 2077 , UGC (Open and Distance l,earning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations,2O2O and its amendments from time to time," the Commission said in a statement.
It said as per the recommendations of the Complaint Redressal Committee, the Commission has decided that no application of the Higher Education Institute would be considered for the year 2022-23 to 2023-24. Details of the complaints received or the violations noticed would be forwarded to the Governor and the Secretary (HE), State Government for fact-finding and needful actions in the matter, the Commission said.
“Therefore, the general public, students and other stakeholders are cautioned through this public notice not to take admission in any programme offered by Periyar University, Tamil Nadu through ODL mode. Taking admission in such programmes may jeopardize the career of the students, in view of the absence of recognition of the programmes by the UGC,” it said.