UGC drafts guidelines to recognise foreign degrees, bars online or distance mode

Guidelines were also issued for educational qualifications from schools under a foreign board, or any degree from an offshore campus.

The regulations come at a time when foreign universities are in the advanced stages of setting up campuses at GIFT City in Gujarat and Indian universities are collaborating with institutions abroad to offer dual or joint degrees.

A degree from a foreign higher educational institution will be recognised and granted equivalence only if a student physically attends an institute recognised by the home country, the UGC stated. Entry-level requirements for admission to the programme must also be similar that of a corresponding programme in India, it said.

The “similarity” of entry criteria will be determined by a standing committee set up for the purpose based on similarity of minimum duration of the programme in India and the foreign country, minimum credit requirements, and evaluation processes, according to the draft guidelines. “Credits in different categories of courses may be examined and similarity established (such as basic background courses, disciplinary core courses, disciplinary elective courses, cross-disciplinary courses, laboratory courses etc), so that the equivalence also reflects the similarity in ‘flavour’ of the offerings in India and abroad,” the guidelines note.

The UGC, however, will consider minimum credit requirements in case of a difference of the entry criteria.

While programmes completed under a franchise arrangement will not be eligible for recognition, those in offshore campuses will only be recognised if they satisfy the accreditation requirements in their country of location and respective home countries.

Any education from schools affiliated to foreign boards and offering a foreign system of education abroad will be recognised and granted equivalence only if the education has been pursued in a regular mode.

The draft guidelines are open for feedback until September 16.