UGC Restricts Enrolment Of Foreign Nationals In Open & Distance Learning Programmes

New Delhi: The University Grants Commission (UGC) recently instructed all higher education institutions of the country not to enrol foreign nationals in open and distance learning (ODL) programmes.

The Commission in its notice issued on Friday stated that only learners residing in India are eligible for enrolment in ODL programmes as per the guidelines in Annexure III of UGC regulations.

Under regulation 23 of UGC, ODL Programmes and Online Programmes Regulations, 2020, a learner residing in any part of the country may enrol in any programme being offered by a higher educational institution recognised by the Commission for offering programme under open and distance learning mode provided that the higher educational institution shall conduct all activities such as admissions, contact programmes, examinations, etc. for learner strictly within the territorial jurisdiction of the higher educational institution.

The Commission mentioned that according to Ministry of Home Affairs notification student visas cannot be provided to international students funded by franchise educational institutes running off-campus centres, study centres of open universities offering distance learning programmes, outreach programmes by educational institutes, and courses offered without regulatory sanctions.

“In view of the above, HEls recognized/entitled to offer ODL programmes are directed not to enrol any foreign nationals in open and distance learning (ODL) programmes. Accordingly, only learners residing in India may be enrolled in ODL programmes in compliance with the territorial jurisdiction for all the activities of learner as defined in Annexure-III of UGC (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020,” the notice read.