UGC derecognises Karnataka state open varsity

The University Grants Commission (UGC) on Thursday dercognised Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) at Mysuru for flouting its norms, directives and guidelines on distance learning programmes.

"Students are cautioned against taking up any professional or technical programmes offered by the KSOU, as they (courses) are not recognised beyond academic year 2012-13, " UGC secretary Jaspal S. Sandhu said in the notification issued on June 16.

The retrospective de-recognition came after the commission issued a show-cause notice to the varsity on June 10, 2011 and considered the latter's response, including personal hearing of its officials.

"In spite of our notice and warning, the university remained undeterred and is continuing to offer programmes through distance learning mode in violation of our policy on territorial jurisdiction notified on June 27, 2013," Sandu asserted.

KSOU Vice Chancellor M.G. Krishnan, however, claimed that UGC did not have jurisdiction over the varsity and students need not panic over its derecognition.

"We will appeal in the Karnataka High Court against the UGC notification, which is against the constitutional provisions," Krishnan told reporters at Mysuru.

Questioning the notification's timing, coming four years after the varsity replied to its show-cause notice and responded to its all enquiries, Krishnan said derecognition was always prospective and never retrospective.

"There is also a ruling in April 2014 by the Sikkim High Court in a similar case in favour of the Sikkim Manipal University, a public-private funded co-educational varsity set up in 1995," he noted.

Established on June 1, 1966, the varsity is recognised by the New Delhi-based University of Distance Education Council.