Check if Sreenarayanaguru Open University has UGC nod for distance education or not: Kerala HC to govt

The high court's directives to the Secretary, Higher Education, came on a couple of petitions by students challenging a state government order of June 9 which virtually injuncted all other varsities in the state, except the open university, from conducting distance education programmes. The students wish to be allowed to enroll in the distance education courses that will be conducted in other universities across the state.

Check if Sreenarayanaguru Open University has UGC nod for distance education or not: Kerala HC to govt

Kerala High Court has directed the state government to check whether Sree Narayanaguru Open University has got recognition from the University Grants Commission (UGC) or not for conducting the distance education courses and if yes, for what all courses. 

The high court's directives to the Secretary, Higher Education, came on a couple of petitions by students challenging a state government order of June 9 which virtually injuncted all other varsities in the state, except the open university, from conducting distance education programmes. The students wish to be allowed to enroll in the distance education courses that will be conducted in other universities across the state. They had contented that the varsity in question does not have the requisite approvals from UGC and due to this on June 9 the government and other universities were forbidden from offering such courses. 

UGC, meanwhile, on its part, had informed the court that even this year it had not given any approval to the open university to begin distance education programmes and that the other approved university can continue with the same if they have been sanctioned to do so. 

Meanwhile, the open university, on the other hand, had opposed the UGC contention and claimed that it had already obtained approval from the Commission with respect to certain courses under the distance education programme. The state government had said that "its order only stated that other universities in Kerala, approved for such purpose by the UGC, can conduct the distance education programme until the open university obtains recognition from the Commission."

After hearing all sides, Justice Devan Ramachandran said, "I am, therefore, of the firm view that a decision in this regard will have to be taken by the Secretary, Department of Higher Education, after hearing the petitioners and the representatives of the Open University. This will have to be done quickly, since any further delay would certainly be detrimental to the interests of the students." 

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