BANGALORE : The University Grants Commission (UGC) has given a final call to all state universities to withdraw the study centres for courses offered under distance education and correspondence departments, which have been set up out of their jurisdiction.
The UGC circular, that reached the state universities a few weeks back, directs the vice-chancellors and officials concerned of the universities to take immediate steps in this direction. Sources said universities which fail to follow the circular could face derecognition of courses.
The circular reads, “The UGC has, from time to time, been notifying its policy on territorial jurisdiction and offering of programmes through off-campuses/study centres/centres by universities/institutions. Vide its public notice No F.27-1/2012, dated June 27, 2013, UGC has notified its policy on territorial jurisdiction to be followed by all universities/institutions including open and distance learning centres.”
Speaking to Express, Dr T D Kemparaju, director, distance education and correspondence courses, Bangalore University, said, “As we have not started the admission process for the current academic year, we will not face any legal hurdles and we will follow the UGC guidelines.”
“Before withdrawing the centres, we need to place the agenda before the syndicate and based on the proceedings we will issue notices to all the study centres outside the jurisdiction of our university,” added Kemparaju.
Bangalore University has over 12 study centres outside its territory. “We have 30 study centres, of which 12 are outside our jurisdiction -- like in Bidar, Mysore, Karkala and Hubli,” he said.
Kuvempu University in Shimoga, which got the chancellor’s approval to set up study centres, has around 77 study centres within and outside the state.
When contacted, Dr M Venkateshwaralu, director, distance education, said, “We have already withdrawn the study centres opened outside state and stopped fresh admissions.”
Most universities in the state, barring a few newly-started ones, have distance education programmes and study centres outside their territories.
The University of Mysore is among the few that do not offer distance education and correspondence courses. Even the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) in Mysore is not allowed to extend its wings beyond the state.