The University Grants Commission (UGC) has banned physiotherapy courses through the long-distance mode, recommending that subjects with a large component of practical teaching be taught face-to-face.
In a notice issued to registrars of all universities, the UGC said that it had come to its notice that some universities were conducting certificate, diploma, graduation and master's programmes in physiotherapy in the distance mode.
The course involves a large component of practical teaching and cannot be properly imparted in the distance mode, the notice added.
“The UGC has taken a serious view of this practice of conducting distance education programmes in the subjects with large components of practical teaching,” the notice said.
The issue of whether varsities can offer physiotherapy courses in the distance mode has been referred to the Delhi High Court. Citing an earlier order of the court, the UGC said it had held that professional courses should not be imparted through the distance mode.
