UGC asks student to be beware of misleading ads given by institutions

The University Grants Commission said that several higher educational institutions are issuing "misleading" advertisements and offering programmes in "gross violation" of norms and asked students to not fall for them.

In a public notice, the UGC said it had noticed that some Universities, Deemed Universities or Institutions were offering programmes through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode in "gross violation" of the policy of UGC or erstwhile Distance Education Council (DEC).

These institutions, the notice said, are issuing "misleading" advertisements that their programmes are recognised by the UGC.

Emphasising that the list of permitted programmes through distance mode is posted on UGC website, the higher education regulator clarified that no institution is permitted to offer Diploma, Bachelor or Masters level programme under ODL mode in Engineering and Technology.

"Also, UGC has not accorded recognition to any University/institution to offer online programmes," the regulator said.

NOTICE REGARDING FAKE WEBSITES USING NAME OF IGNOU

It has come to notice that some mischievous persons are using fake websites in the name of IGNOU or are using IGNOU’s domain name in a misleading way to cheat the public/students by giving false and misleading information. Some of the websites, unauthorizedly, may even promise online admission to IGNOU programmes. One of the newspapers has also highlighted this issue for the knowledge and awareness of the public at large.

In view of the above, this is for the information of general public and one and all that the IGNOU maintains only one main Official Website under the URL Address: http://www.ignou.ac.in. Apart from this, all the Regional Centres across the country also maintain regional websites, URLs of which are available at the respective Contact Details under Regional Centres link on Home Page of above main IGNOU website. In case of any information, please contact the nearest Regional Centre of IGNOU.

IGNOU will not be responsible for any incident of cheating by any unscrupulous person or website.