PhD Offered By EdTech Firms In Collaboration With Foreign Varsities Not Recognised: UGC & AICTE

The UGC and AICTE stated that the online Ph.D. programmes offered by EdTech companies in collaboration with foreign institutes are unrecognised, so students should be cautious.

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The University Grants Commission (UGC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) announced on Friday that online Ph.D. programmes offered by EdTech companies in collaboration with foreign educational institutions are not recognised, news agency PTI reported. 

The warning for students issued by the higher education and technical education regulators is the second issued this year.

The UGC and AICTE also stated that advertisements for online Ph.D courses offered by EdTech companies affiliated with foreign universities should not be taken seriously.

The statement was also shared by the official Twitter account of the statutory body established by the Department of Higher Education. "UGC advises Students and public, at large, not to be misled by advertisements for online Ph.D programmes offered by EduTech Companies in collaboration with Foreign Educational Institutes. For more details please see the attached public notice,  "it tweeted..

The tweet was retweeted by the official handle of AICTE. 

UGC advises Students and public, at large, not to be misled by advertisements for online Ph.D programmes offered by EduTech Companies in collaboration with Foreign Educational Institutes.
For more details please see the attached public notice. @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/RlP33Ziv7B

— UGC INDIA (@ugc_india) October 28, 2022

Earlier this year, the UGC and AICTE warned their recognised universities and institutions against offering distance learning and online courses in collaboration with Ed-tech companies, stating that no "franchise" agreement is permissible under norms.

"The UGC has notified the UGC (Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of MPhil, Ph.D degrees) Regulation 2016 in order to maintain the standards for awarding Ph.D degrees. All higher educational institutions (HEIs) must follow UGC Regulations and amendments when awarding Ph.D degrees ," the UGC and the AICTE issued a joint order.

Students and public at large are hereby advised not to be misled by the advertisements for online Ph.D programmes offered by EdTech companies in collaboration with foreign educational institutions, it said.

"Such online Ph.D programmes are not recognised by the UGC. Aspiring students and the public at large, are requested to verify the authenticity of Ph.D programmes as per UGC Regulation 2016 before taking admission," the order said. 

(With Inputs From PTI)