Starting in the 2024-25 academic year, a new enrolment procedure for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Programmes will take effect from September 2024. This change aims to ensure students enrol only in approved Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) and enhance transparency in admissions.
The University Grants Commission (ODL Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, will guide the new enrolment procedure, ensuring students enrol only in recognised institutions listed on the UGC Distance Education Bureau website. This move addresses recent concerns about unrecognised institutions admitting students.
To protect student interests, a new mechanism will require students to register on the UGC-DEB web portal and create a unique DEB-ID using their Academic Bank of Credit (ABC)-ID. This DEB-ID will be mandatory for enrolling in recognised ODL/Online programmes, except for foreign learners, and will remain valid for a lifetime. HEIs are expected to implement this process effectively.
Aligning exams with SWAYAM
Universities will soon be able to align their examinations for SWAYAM courses with their regular academic calendars, according to UGC sources on Tuesday. The upcoming framework, set to be introduced by the University Grants Commission, aims to boost student participation in SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) courses for credit accumulation.
SWAYAM is an online platform that allows students to take courses from leading Higher Education institutions to fulfil credit requirements for their university’s academic programs. Currently, end-term proctored exams for SWAYAM-based credit courses are administered by the National Testing Agency (NTA) and the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning (NPTEL) at designated centres across the country.
The 24th SWAYAM Board meeting on March 5, 2024, decided that universities adopting UGC SWAYAM Regulations 2021 will be allowed to conduct examinations for SWAYAM courses directly. This change means students who have completed SWAYAM courses can now take their exams at their universities.
KSOU opens admissions
Karnataka State Open University, Mysuru, has commenced admissions for the academic year 2024-25 (July cycle) for both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The university offers a range of courses. Prospective students can download the prospectus from the official website: www.ksoumysuru.ac.in, which provides detailed information. Applications can be submitted at: http://ksouportal.com/views/index.aspx.
In conclusion, the new enrolment procedure for ODL and Online Programmes, along with the alignment of exams with SWAYAM, represents positive steps towards enhancing the quality and transparency of distance education in India. Students are encouraged to adhere to the new guidelines and take advantage of the opportunities provided by recognised institutions like Karnataka State Open University.