Coimbatore: The Association of Self-Financing Arts, Science and Management Colleges of Tamil Nadu has objected to the University Grants Commission (UGC)’s move to allow autonomous colleges to offer online degree courses. It said the move, which is part of increasing the gross enrolment ratio to 50% by 2035, would only churn out students without skills and quality.
The UGC had in its recent announcement said the online education would be offered by the top 100 autonomous colleges in the past three years’ NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) rank list or those with a NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) score of 3.26.
Registering their opposition, the association said the UGC’s objective was only to boost the gross enrolment ratio and not to impart quality higher education to the student community. This would lead to more unemployment in future, it said.
Dr Ajeet Kumar Lal Mohan, president of the association, said the proposed move would only help create more unemployable candidates. “If this amendment is passed by the UGC, the quality of education will take a plunge and interactive education will be lost. The physical absence of teachers will not yield the desired results. Both the online and regular students will get the same degree and this will create more confusion among the student community and employers.” In a state like Tamil Nadu with a gross enrolment ratio of 51.4%, he said, the online education would serve no purpose.
The association urged the UGC not to go ahead with its plans and concentrate on imparting quality education.