Students can opt regular, distance degree together: UGC panel

An expert Committee of the UGC has recommended that students enrolled in a regular degree course can now pursue an additional degree simultaneously under open or distance edu mode from the same or different university.

However, they cannot undertake two regular degrees at the same time. The committee, set up by the University Grants Commission UGC, has sought opinion of vice chancellors of all universities in the country before implementation the recommendations.

The expert Committee has recommended that, "a student enrolled in a degree programme under regular mode may be allowed to pursue a maximum of one additional degree programme simultaneously under open/distance mode from the same or a different university. However, two degree programmes under regular mode may not be allowed simultaneously as it may create logistic, administrative and academic problems."

The panel has also recommended that "a student pursuing a degree programme under regular mode may be allowed to pursue a maximum of one certificate/diploma/advanced diploma/PG diploma programme simultaneously either in regular or open and distance mode in the same university or from other institutions."

The panel also discussed the issue of awarding a joint degree by universities within India and decided that "nothing prohibit universities to permit their students to take and complete a part of their programme of studies from any other recognised universities".

"The joint degree programme are not only permissible by the UGC but also needs to be encouraged. Interested universities may make necessary enabling ordinances specifying details and procedures in this regards and may sign Memorandum of Understanding to execute the award of joint degrees," the panel recommended.