UGC permits BU to start distance education courses

Bangalore University has received an approval from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to conduct distance education programmes for the years 2016-17 and 2017-18.

This comes one year after the distance education courses were de-recognised by the UGC. Addressing the media on Thursday, vice chancellor B Thimme Gowda said they would start enrolling students for these courses soon.

With the approval being delayed, the admission process that was to have started in August and September, would be done now, according to Dr Thimme Gowda. According to sources, the university lost Rs 1.5 crore during the period when no admissions were made to distance education programmes. Dr Thimme Gowda said there would be no hike in the fee for distance education courses this academic year.

Approvals for distance education courses at Bangalore University, Karnatak University, Dharwad and Gulbarga University were withdrawn in 2015-16.

No private players
The university, has, however decided not to encourage private players to run study centres following several complaints about malpractices. Dr Thimme Gowda said aided colleges would be identified and these would act as study centres.