UGC asks varsities to shut down off campuses

 Pointing out that state governments are violating rules and a 2005 supreme Court verdict by setting up off campuses, University Grants Commission has asked them to be shut down.

The higher education regulator has also urged the states to “take suitable steps” to stop private colleges set up under the varsities from operating beyond their territorial limits.
Jeopardising students

Both state and private varsities are jeopardising students’ future by enrolling them at the off campuses and awarding them certificates and degrees since many employers will not consider them valid, it noted.

In a recent letter to state Chief Secretaries, UGC secretary Jaspal S Sandhu cited a 2005 SC verdict which says no state or private university set up with the approval of a state government can run off campuses and conduct courses in distant education mode.