UGC amended open and distance learning guidelines to attract foreign students for enrollment
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has amended its open and distance learning guidelines to attract foreign students for enrollment in UGC recognized online programs through Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) driven projects.
The Second Amendment Regulations 2022 of UGC Open and Distance Learning Programs and Online Programs have been notified in the gazette on July 18, 2022. The amendment will only be applicable for students enrolling on UGC platforms through MEA.
After the amended regulations, the foreign students will be enable to take admissions into UGC recognized online programs offered on e-VidyaBharati Portal by submitting “any national identity with photograph of their country of residence” for authentication
MEA observed that many applications were being rejected due to either submission of expired passports or non-submission of passports, the ministry requested UGC to consider any national identity with photograph’ and exempted the mandatory requirement of Passport in order to secure admission in the Indian University under the e- VidyaBharati (tele-education) project
According to UGC chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar, under the 2020 regulations, ‘Passport’ was the only identifier for the international students.
The Ministry of External Affairs offers scholarships to the African students under the Center’s e-VidyaBharati (tele-education) project. The project aims to offer at least 15,000 scholarships to African students over a period of 5 years.