UGC Declares Periyar University’s ODL Programmes Invalid

New Delhi: UGC has declared Periyar University's online and distance learning programmes invalid. The council has also warned the students not to take admission to Periyar University. It issued a similar letter to Annamalai University in March for violating UGC ODL regulation 2020.

The official notice by UGC states, “It has come to the notice of the Commission through various communications received in UGC office that Periyar University, Tamil Nadu is functioning without a full-time director, inadequate full-time faculty, inadequate non-teaching staff, not yet established centre and running ODL programmes without prior approval of UGC in gross violation of conditions laid down under UGC (Open and Distance Learning Regulations, 2077, UGC (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020 and its amendments from time to time". 

Earlier on February 12, the UGC held a meeting, during which the following decisions were taken:

• No application of the Higher Educational Institute (HEI) shall be considered for the year 2022-23 to 2023-24.
• All the applications that have been submitted by the HEI for the 2021-22 academic year for offering ODL programmes shall not be processed.
• The complaints received/violations noticed details shall be forwarded to Governor and the Secretary (HE), State Government for fact-finding and needful actions in the matter

Earlier in an official notice dated March 25, the UGC stated that Annamalai University's ODL programmes are being offered without prior approval of the commission and are thus invalid. The university is fully liable for any career consequences that may result from the issue.

The university, on the other hand, approached the Madras High Court to challenge the order and to dismiss the UGC's public notices dated March 25 and 30. The writ petition asked the UGC to recognise open and distance learning programmes for the current academic year 2022-23. 

The petitioners are seeking to prevent the March 2022 notice from taking effect, as well as a directive to the UGC to allow the petitioner to enrol students under the ODL from 2022 to 2023.

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