University Grant Commission has issued a warning for edtech companies and higher education institutions (HEIs) offering degrees in collaboration with foreign universities that are not recognised by it. UGC also announced that these will not be considered valid and advised students not to enroll for these courses.
Manish Joshi, Secretary, UGC commented that “It has been observed that many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and colleges have entered into collaborative agreements with foreign-based educational institutions or providers not recognised by the commission and have been facilitating the issuance of foreign degrees to the students.”
“Any such kind of collaboration or arrangement is not recognised by the UGC and, accordingly, the degrees issued subsequent to such collaboration arrangement are also not recognised by the commission,” he added further.
According to Joshi, the UGC has also learned that certain edtech businesses are advertising in print media, social media, and television, promoting online degree and certificate programs in collaboration with a few overseas colleges and universities.
Such a franchisee arrangement is not acceptable, and the UGC will not recognize any program or degree of that kind. In accordance with applicable regulations, action will also be taken against all of the defaulting HEIs and edtech companies, Joshi continued.
“Students and the general public are advised to exercise due caution and any enrolment in such courses will be at their own risk,” Joshi stated.
