Source: https://www.aicte-india.org/
For the first time, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in
the state will be following the guidelines of the All India Council for
Technical Education (AICTE) to start online Open and Distance Learning (ODL)
education in universities.
AICTE had recently issued guidelines, which were meant for
online ODL institutions for offering courses in management and allied areas,
computer applications, artificial intelligence and data science in the
engineering and technology domain, logistics and travel and tourism.
Accordingly, these guidelines will apply to HEIs such as
standalone institutions, institutions-deemed to be universities and
universities for conducting various courses.
Referring to the recent gazette, a senior official from the
Directorate of Technical Education (DOTE) told DT Next that the online ODL
programmes will be equivalent to the certificate, diploma, PG Diploma and PG
degree level programmes offered in conventional mode.
Explaining the salient features of the guidelines, he said
students’ intake will be a maximum of three times of the sanctioned intake of
specific programme in regular mode.
“At present online distance education mode is only for very
limited programmes and that too in few institutions,” he said adding “now
institutions could offer many full-fledged courses through online mode.”
The official said that after scrutinising the applications
sent by the institutions for AICTE to conduct online courses through distance
mode, the expert committee consisting of council authorities will inspect all
facilities available in the colleges and universities to conduct online
courses.
Stating that AICTE being satisfied with all the parameters
specified, would pass an order granting approval to institutions in respect
online programmes, the official said recognised institutions will also undergo
an assessment of online and ODL programmes and annual academic audits by Centre
for Internal Quality Assurance (“CIQA”) once in a year. The official said, “the
CIQA report after assessment must be placed on the institution’s website and
presented to the AICTE.”
“However, certain courses such as pharmacy, architecture,
hotel management, applied arts, crafts and design has not been permitted by the
AICTE for online distance learning,” he said.
