This blog is written to make students aware of the option to earn well-recognised undergraduate, and post-graduate degrees, Diplomas and certificates through Distance Education.
The concept of Distance Education is not new. Considering the benefits of correspondence courses, Lakhs of students enrol each year to reap the benefits of Online learning.
The high standards required to be maintained by Distance learning Universities are strictly regulated by the University Grants Commission- Distance Education Bureau.
University Grants Commission- Regulations, 2020
UGC-DEB has notified “The University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 on 04.09.2020. Subsequently, its amendments have also been notified on 01.07.2021 & 18.07.2022.
These Regulations lay down the minimum standards of instruction for the grant of degrees at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels and the grant of post-graduate diplomas of the duration of two years in Distance Education and Online Education.
Distance Pathshala, to apprise the aspiring students as a measure of abundant caution, highlights the Public Notice- F.No. 1-12/2023 (DEB-I) Dated Sept.19, 2023, circulated by the UGC as regards the prohibited programmes under Distance Education and online education.
Disciplines prohibited to be offered under ODL & Online mode:
As per the Public Notice- F.No. 1-12/2023 (DEB-I) Dated Sept.19, 2023, circulated by the UGC, the programmes in the following disciplines (including their allied domains) are prohibited from being offered under ODL & Online mode:
(i) Engineering
(ii)Medical
(iii)Physiotherapy
(iv)Occupational Therapy and other Para-Medical disciplines
(v)Pharmacy
(vi)Nursing
(vii)Dental
(viii)Architecture
(ix)Law
(x)Agriculture
(xi)Horticulture
(xii)Hotel Management
(xiii)Catering Technology
(xiv)Culinary Sciences
(xv)Aircraft Maintenance
(xvi)Visual Arts and Sports
(xvii)Aviation
(xviii)any other programme not permitted to be offered through Open and Distance Learning Mode and /or Online Mode by any concerned Statutory or regulatory body or Council.
Accordingly, Yoga Tourism & Hospitality Management Programmes at UG & PG level are not permitted in Online Mode.
Apart from the above, M.Phil & PhD programmes in all disciplines through Open and Distance Learning Mode are also prohibited.
Franchising arrangements for offering ODL & OL programmes are also prohibited.
Equivalence of degrees in Conventional or ODL & Online modes:
The UGC-DEB, vide the aforementioned Public Notice dated Sept. 19, 2023, has reiterated the equivalence of qualification acquired through Conventional or Open and Distance Learning and Online modes from recognised Higher Educational Institutions.
Online learning courses and distance learning courses offered by Distance learning Universities are much sought after.
The renowned Distance learning Universities in India offers Online learning courses and distance learning courses through self-explanatory, self-contained, self-directed, self-motivating and self-evaluating Self-Learning Materials(SLMs.)
The learning materials emphasized real-world tasks, learner‘s choice of tasks or situations, case studies etc.
A student nowadays prefers to quickly earn by either taking employment early or running startups and simultaneously upgrading his or her skills through online learning from Open University in India.
Distance learning Universities focus on collaborative learning tasks during Distance learning.
The pedagogy of Distance Education involves teaching the core subjects and electives by citing ample examples and illustrations. The students are immersed throughout the learning activities.
Distance Education is imparted through e-learning material, e-books, practical books, student handbooks, question banks, assignment books, Audio Video material, programme guides, project manuals, etc.
In Online education, the E-Learning Material adopts a four-quadrant approach i.e.
(i) Quadrant-I is an e-tutorial containing: Video and Audio Content in an organised form, Animation, Simulations, Video Demonstrations, Virtual Labs, etc, along with the transcription of the video.
(ii) Quadrant-II is e-content containing: self instructional material, e-books, illustrations, case studies, presentations etc, and also contains Web Resources such as further references, Related Links, Open source Content on the Internet, Video, Case
Studies, books including e-books, research papers and journals, Anecdotal information, Historical development of the subject, Articles, etc.
(iii) Quadrant-III is the Discussion forum for raising of doubts and clarifying them on a near real-time basis by the Course Coordinator or his team.
(iv) Quadrant-IV is an Assessment containing: Problems and Solutions in the form of Multiple Choice Questions, Fill-in-blanks, Matching Questions, Short Answer Questions, Answer Questions, Quizzes, Assignments and solutions, Discussion forum topics and setting up FAQs, Clarifications on general misconceptions.
Open University in India is entitled to start full-fledged Online programmes without prior approval of the University Grants Commission as per provisions stipulated under Regulations 3 (B) (a) of University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes & Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments from the academic year 2023-24 academic session beginning July-August 2023 and onwards.
The respective full-fledged Programmes that the following six renowned Open Universities in India are entitled to offer are detailed below:-
1. Mangalayatan University- Online programmes:
Mangalayatan University, a private University in Uttar Pradesh,
offers the following UGC entitled programmes as per the “University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments:-
Bachelor of Business Administration; B.A. (English, History, Political Science, Economics and Sociology; Bachelor of Computer Applications; Master of Computer Applications; Master of Arts(Political Science); Master of Arts (Journalism and Mass Communication; Master of Commerce; Master of Science( Mathematics); Master of Arts (English); Master of Arts(Education); Master of Arts (Public Administration); Master of Business Administration.
2. Lovely Professional University, Punjab-Online programmes
Lovely Professional University(LPU), a private University, offers the following UGC-entitled programmes as per the “University Grants Commission(Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments:-
Bachelor of Arts(Combination of 3 subjects: Economics, Computer Applications, Management, History, Political Science, Sociology, English, Hindi); Bachelor of Computer Applications; Bachelor of Commerce; Master of Computer Applications; Master of Science(Mathematics); Master of Arts(History); Master of Arts(Political Science); Master of Arts(Economics); Master of Arts (Sociology); Master of Arts (English); Master of Commerce; Master of Business Administration.
3.JawaharLal Nehru University(JNU), Delhi-Online programme:
Jawaharlal Nehru University(JNU), a Central University offers the following UGC entitled programme, Master of Arts (Sanskrit) as per the “University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments.
4. Graphic Era (Deemed-to-be) University, Dehradun Online programmes:
Graphic Era (Deemed-to-be) University, Dehradun offers the following UGC-entitled programmes as per the “University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments:-
Bachelor of Computer Applications,
Bachelor of Business Administration; Bachelor of Commerce(Hons.); Master of Computer Applications; Master of Business Administration.
5. GLA University, Uttar Pradesh- Online programmes:
GLA University, Uttar Pradesh offers the following UGC-entitled programmes as per the “University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments:-
Master of Business Administration; Master of Computer Applications; Bachelor of Computer Applications.
6. UPES -Uttarakhand-Online Programmes
The University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, (UPES) Uttarakhand offers the following UGC-entitled programmes as per the “University Grants Commission( Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments:-
Bachelor of Business Administration(General); Master of Business Administration (Oil & Gas Management); Master of Business Administration (Logistics and Supply Chain Management); Master of Business Administration (General); Bachelor of Computer Applications; Master of Business Administration (Power Management); Master of Business Administration (Infrastructure Management).
Benefits of online learning:
Learning through Open and distance Learning Modes & Online Learning Mode is cost-effective and it affords flexibility to learn anytime, anywhere. Online learning is quite popular for its unique feature of writing Semester examinations in a Web Proctored environment without the necessity to visit any centre of examination.
The benefits of online learning which can not be ignored are- Return on Investment, flexibility to continue to do a job while studying, freedom to learn at your own pace and its equivalence to the degrees earned through conventional mode.
Conclusion Of What Is Distance Education?
The degrees earned through Online mode from UGC-entitled Universities and Institutions are equivalent to the degrees earned through the conventional mode and thus are valid in all respects.
Those who earn degrees through Open and distance Learning Mode & Online mode from the entitled Universities are eligible to write the competitive examinations conducted by the Union Public Service Commission, Staff Selection Commission and other State Public Service Commissions.
The seasoned team of counsellors of Distance Pathshala provide personalised guidance to aspiring students in selecting cost-effective Online programs.
The expert counsellors are happy to help the candidates who are interested in upgrading their skills through Online learning. The aspiring students must connect with the seasoned counsellors of the Distance Pathshala for enrolment in Online learning courses.
