Hyderabad: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has acted against unapproved partnerships between Indian Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and foreign educational providers, including those through EdTech companies. This move has worried many students already enrolled in online courses.
N. Vinit Kumar from Hyderabad, who has a B.Sc. in Computer Science, joined a Cognitive Sciences program. He took courses in Cognitive Neuropsychology and Neurolinguistics to explore intersections in perception, language, and artificial intelligence. “It helps me understand Large Language Models better,” he said.
Platforms like SWAYAM and NPTEL offer some courses, but foreign HEIs provide unique interdisciplinary areas via EdTech platforms. Srivalli S. from Visakhapatnam, who has a BA in Mathematics, wants to study Data Science and AI. However, the UGC’s decision surprised students like her who can’t afford traditional in-person courses. The UGC’s directive follows a notice from December 12, 2023, about academic collaborations and foreign campuses under 2022 and 2023 regulations. The UGC noticed a rise in unauthorized joint and dual degree programs, often with misleading ads by EdTech companies in media.
The Commission warned that such practices breach regulations and threaten students’ academic and career futures. Degrees from these programs aren’t recognized in India, and students join at their own risk. The UGC also plans legal action against defaulting HEIs and EdTech companies. Institutions involved may face penalties, including derecognition and legal action.
The UGC stressed the need for academic integrity and urged adherence to national education policies. It continues to oversee education partnerships to ensure Indian institutions offer credible, quality programs. “This move also prevents the commercialization of education and shields students from unqualified international affiliations.”
However, no state university in Telangana or Andhra Pradesh offers basic courses like History of Science. This gap makes it hard for students to understand science’s evolution over the past century. A former Telangana State Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) official said, “There are many courses in Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Technology, but students lack foundational knowledge, leaving them confused about choosing courses at the intersection of these fields.”
