UGC: University students can pursue up to 40 per cent of academic programme online

University students can now pursue up to 40 per cent of an academic programme online with the flexibility of choosing any institution for the Net-based learning, according to new rules of the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Academics warned that such a move would dilute academic standards and reduce the workload at institutions, causing sanctioned posts to shrink.

The higher education regulator last week notified the UGC Credit Framework for Online Learning Courses through Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (Swayam) Regulations, 2021, under which every university is expected to recognise the credits, or points, earned by students from online courses, which can be up to 40 per cent of an academic programme.