UGC Distance Learning Regulations 2020 – NAAC accreditation parameters
Symbiosis Open Education Society – sponsoring body of the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University under the Symbiosis Skills and Professional University Act, 2017. It is required to comply with the University Grants Commission (Open and Distance Learning Programmes and Online Programmes) Regulations, 2020, of the University Grants Commission.
Higher Education Institution must meet certain basic accreditation score or ranking, experience, etc to offer programs through Open & Distance learning and Online mode and other standards mentioned in para 11 of the judgment.
HELD that both NAAC accreditation and the NIRF ranking present empirical and objective tools to measure institutional quality. Such measures bring in the ability to stipulate a measure to determine an institute should be allowed to offer programs through ODL and OL modes in a teaching environment which is more challenging than a conventional classroom.
NAAC accreditation parameters used for rating traditional universities are inapplicable to the skill universities. What one needs to address is the effect of the NAAC accreditation process or the NIRF ranking process being inappropriate, in its blanket application to skill universities such as the SSPU.
We trust the UGC will apply its mind to rationalising its stipulations in a manner that the regulatory framework is made easy to comprehend and comply with, so that the real objective of Distance Learning Regulations i.e. to enhance the penetration of higher education in Indian Society, is achieved.
Judgment dated 28.6.2024 of the Bombay High Court in Symbiosis Open Education Society and another Vs. University Grants Commission and others
