In what could affect thousands of students enrolled in distance education programmes offered by the Annamalai University and Tamil Nadu Open University (TNOU), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has cancelled their recognition for the academic year 2015-16.

As per reports, the Hindi Prachar Sabha in Chennai and 28 other universities across India are facing action for violating norms in offering of open and distance learning (ODL) programmes. Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani informed the Parliament of the action taken against these institutions while responding to a question from two MPs on Wednesday. Surprisingly, the Vice Chancellors of the two TN universities were unaware of this and said the UGC had not sent any communication to them.

"Annamalai University had launched distance education courses in 1979, much before the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) came into existence. We are offering these courses with permanent infrastructure and faculty. If the UGC points out any shortfall, we are ready to rectify them," Vice Chancellor S Manian told Express on Thursday.

TNOU Vice Chancellor Chandrakantha Jeyabalan said, "We had already submitted affidavits sought by the UGC for getting recognition for 2015-16. We have also enrolled students anticipating the recognition."

Following the UGC's cancellation move, Annamalai University approached the Madras High Court with the matter. The court had to put a stay on the UGC's cancellation order. As of December 2015, the case is still pending in Madras High Court.

Source: New Indian Express

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