UGC And AICTE warn against ‘Franchisee Arrangement’ between colleges and Edtech Companies.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have warned their affiliated universities and institutes against offering courses in distance education and online mode in association with Ed-tech companies, saying that “Franchise” agreement is not acceptable according to the norms.

The Higher Education Regulator University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Technical Education Regulator All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) have also advised students and parents to check the recognition and accreditation status of any program on their website before enrolling in any course.

The regulations state that HEIs shall not offer ODL or online programs under any franchise arrangement and HEIs themselves are solely responsible for the programmes.

The regulations state that HEIs shall not offer ODL or online programs under any franchise arrangement and HEIs themselves are solely responsible for the programmes. However, recently it has come to the notice of UGC that some Edtech Companies are advertising in newspapers, social media and television etc. to conduct degree and diploma programs in ODL and online mode in association with some universities and institutes recognized by University Grants Commission UGC, presenting Commission secretary Rajnish Jain said in the official order.

Such franchise arrangement is not permitted and action will be taken against defaulting Edtech companies as well as HEIs under applicable laws, rules and regulations. All students are also advised to check the accreditation and eligibility status of the programs on the UGC website before enrolling in any course.

The education ministry had earlier this month issued a detailed advisory to parents and students dealing with Edtech firms, asking them to, among other things, be careful while making payments.

The ministry had said that parents, students and all stakeholders of education have to be careful while choosing online content and coaching offered by Ed-tech companies.