Kerala governor urged to stop open univ from offering courses

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Save University Campaign Committee has urged governor Arif Mohammed Khan to stop the newly set up Sree Narayana Guru Open University from its move to offer courses before getting UGC recognition.
The move to start courses without ensuring infrastructure facilities and teaching faculties would harm the prospects of students in a big way. Instead of pressing ahead with the plans to start offering courses at once, the governor, who is also the chancellor of the university, should advise the authorities concerned to let other universities to offer distance education courses until the new university is well equipped.
“The entire matter has been hurried up to make top-level appointments, flouting all the UGC rules and regulations in this matter. Lakhs of students depend on the distance programmes run by the existing universities in Kerala to advance the career and learning options. These programmes are being run in accordance with the UGC approval. Over the years, these universities have also established the basic infrastructure facilities and other requirements such as the appointment of faculty for the conduct of the courses. Now, the government, all of a sudden, has directed these universities to stop the distance mode courses to facilitate admission to the Open University. This will jeopardize the future of the students as the programmes run by the new university don’t have the recognition of the UGC,” the memorandum said.
“It is therefore urged that the chancellor may interfere in the matter urgently to direct the government to first get the UGC approval for the conduct of courses after fulfilling the norms laid down under the UGC Regulations 2017. Until then, admissions to these programmes should strictly be kept on the hold. Also, during this time, the existing universities be permitted to conduct their distance mode courses to support the students,” the memorandum said.