The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) on Monday claimed that only technical and professional courses had been de-recognised by the UGC and that there was no threat to its regular programmes.
In a fresh appeal to its students not to panic, Vice-Chancellor M.G. Krishnan and University of Mysore Vice-Chancellor K.S. Rangappa announced that the KSOU would approach the UGC to continue its recognition, arguing that the courses in question had already been withdrawn.
Secretary’s letter
Defending decisions taken during their tenures, the Vice-Chancellors in a joint press conference here, quoting a letter dated May 26, 2015 from Renu Batra, Joint Secretary, UGC, addressed to Vice-Chancellors of all State open universities and IGNOU, contended that the UGC had continued recognition for 2014-15 and had said that status quo may be maintained for 2015-16.
However, Dr. Batra, in the letter, mentioned that some universities had been violating the norms for courses offered in open and distance learning mode and had sought an affidavit from such universities promising to comply with the norms.
Nevertheless, Dr. Batra’s letter was followed by a public notice on June 16 discontinuing recognition to the programmes beyond 2012-13.
“We wonder why the UGC issued the notice after continuing the recognition in its previous letter,” they said.
It is not clear whether the KSOU filed an affidavit, as sought by the UGC, or whether the failure to do so impelled the UGC to take action.
Prof. Rangappa, the former Vice-Chancellor of KSOU, said the university had clarified its standpoint to the erstwhile Distance Education Council, and thereafter started offering courses outside the .
‘Acted as per Act’
“We acted as per the provisions of the KSOU Act and tied-up with competent colleges for technical courses,” Prof. Rangappa claimed.
On the UGC’s letter to the government for deleting the provision in the Act vis-a-vis operating outside Karnataka, Prof. Krishnan said, “We are ready to stick to jurisdiction if the Act stands amended.”
On the value of KSOU degrees in the job market, Prof. Krishnan said, “There is no distinction in degrees between open and conventional universities. Our degrees hold value and are legitimate.”
