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Online Degree From Higher Education Institution: UGC has asked academic institutions to suggest roadmaps to introduce online courses in a move to bridge the physical-digital divide in tertiary education

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It seems that top colleges and universities may start offering full-fledged online degree programmes starting next year as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has hinted towards the process by asking varsities to share the roadmap for online courses. Meanwhile as per the business daily Mint report, UGC has asked academic institutions to provide roadmaps for introduction of online courses. These online courses will be a “mode of providing flexible learning opportunities by overcoming the separation of teacher and learner using the internet, e-learning materials and full-fledged programme delivery through the internet using technology-assisted mechanism and resources". It will be aimed at bridging the physical-digital divide in higher education. The decision comes in the wake of the ongoing pandemic situation that has disrupted offline classes. As per the notification mentioned in the Mint report, UGC said eligible universities can start offer around three programmes in Under Graduate (UG) level, and 10 programmes in the Post Graduate (PG) level with the approval of statutory authorities and in strict adherence with the regulatory provisions. Those colleges and universities may seek to apply for offering programmes through the online mode, provided they are in existence for at least three years and has been accredited by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) . Those institutions need to have a minimum score of 3.01 on a 4-point scale. However, this will be done not through the automatic route, but after proper invigilation and review by the regulator, as per the report. Meanwhile the University Grants Commission, or UGC, has called for submission of proposals from Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in order to offer online and distance learning courses from January 2021. Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes Regulations, 2020 were introduced by the UGC on September 4. Only the institutions eligible to offer such courses as per the new regulations will be able to submit their applications on the UGC’s official portal for the academic session beginning January 2021 and onwards. As per the official notification on the UGC website, the online portal for submitting fresh applications will be open until October 15, 2020. The notice also stated that the duly certified hard copy of the application along with the annexures should be read to the Distance Education Bureau office of UGC within 10 working days of the submission of the online application. The move comes after the Centre indicated plans for online degree programmes in May. Later in the Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi too also mentioned about this change. India’s higher education sector comprising over 50,000 colleges and universities have been impacted as a result of pandemic. This has led to the push in online education, and the government is now keen on full-fledged online education.