Andhra University School of Distance Education has received recognition from the UGC’s Distance Education Bureau for all its 44 courses for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 academic years.Earlier, the recognition was granted by the Distance Education Council and it has now become mandatory for all the institutions offering distance mode of education to get the recognition of DEB, Vice-Chancellor G. Nageswara Rao said on Monday at a press conference, which incidentally the first engagement for him after assuming charge as V-C on Sunday.
Rector E.A. Narayana, Registrar V. Umamaheswara Rao and Director of AU SDE L.D. Sudhakara Babu were present.
AU SDE, the second distance mode institution established by a university after University of Mysore’s institution, is offering courses all over India, Prof. Sudhakara Babu said. Degrees awarded after graduation through AUSDE are recognised on par with those awarded after regular education and there is no need of apprehension and doubt about its status and validity, he said. “Our students can pursue higher education in any university in India or abroad and can seek employment in the government organisations on par with the regular students,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor and the Director of AUSDE said they would take up with the Bar Council of India the issue of bachelor degree in law of those who have done the basic degree through distance mode directly without plus two course, not being recognised. Also the Railway Board has been approached with the UGC circular that distance mode degree is equivalent to the degree through regular course, after a distance mode graduate’s appointment order was cancelled.