MUMBAI: Uncertainty over admissions of over 65,000 students in Mumbai University’s Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) continues, as University Grants Commission (UGC) is yet to recognise their courses. An inspection by Distance Education Bureau (DEB), a UGC arm, is pending for few months. The institute’s name did not find mention even in the last list released on March 26, despite a fresh application in October 2018.
A university official said all courses offered by IDOL were recognised till 2017-18. “Recognition is pending only from the 2019-20 academic session. Over 65,000 students have taken admission in 2018-19, across courses,” said the official. While the university maintained the process is pending, and no course has been derecognised, IDOL’s name did not figure in multiple lists of recognised institutions released by DEB in the last one year.
While grading from National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) was a must for the affiliating university, UGC has relaxed norms till the end of 2019-20. In a notice put by the university, the administration clarified that NAAC criteria had been relaxed till the end of the 2019-20 academic session, so there is no hindrance in the process. MU’s NAAC accreditation expired in April 2017. Since then, the university has missed the deadline to apply for NAAC more than once.
“Data compilation is over. But the pending recognition of some centres (such as law academy) by independent agencies/council has been a problem for few months,” said a university official.
A university spokesperson said a team from UGC is expected to visit the campus in April. “Since NAAC criteria is relaxed, there should not be any problem in getting recognition. We got a letter from UGC in December stating that a committee has been appointed to inspect MU along with two to three other campuses. We hope to get it soon,” said the spokesperson.
A university official said all courses offered by IDOL were recognised till 2017-18. “Recognition is pending only from the 2019-20 academic session. Over 65,000 students have taken admission in 2018-19, across courses,” said the official. While the university maintained the process is pending, and no course has been derecognised, IDOL’s name did not figure in multiple lists of recognised institutions released by DEB in the last one year.
While grading from National Accreditation and Assessment Council (NAAC) was a must for the affiliating university, UGC has relaxed norms till the end of 2019-20. In a notice put by the university, the administration clarified that NAAC criteria had been relaxed till the end of the 2019-20 academic session, so there is no hindrance in the process. MU’s NAAC accreditation expired in April 2017. Since then, the university has missed the deadline to apply for NAAC more than once.
“Data compilation is over. But the pending recognition of some centres (such as law academy) by independent agencies/council has been a problem for few months,” said a university official.
A university spokesperson said a team from UGC is expected to visit the campus in April. “Since NAAC criteria is relaxed, there should not be any problem in getting recognition. We got a letter from UGC in December stating that a committee has been appointed to inspect MU along with two to three other campuses. We hope to get it soon,” said the spokesperson.
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