Ramakanta Biswas

The University Grant Commission (UGC) has issued public notices cautioning students against taking admission in Periyar University, Tamil Nadu and All India Institute of Public & Physical Health Sciences (AIIPHS) State Government University, Delhi. 

The higher education regulator said Periyar University is running distance education programmes in violation of its guidelines while AIIPHS State Government University is offering various degree courses in gross violation of the UGC Act, 1956. 

"As per section 22(1) of the UGC Act, 1956, a degree can be awarded only by a university established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, a Provincial Act or a State Act or an institution deemed to be a university under section 3 of the UGC Act or an institution specially empowered by an Act of Parliament to confer or grant degrees. 

"AIIPHS State Government University is neither recognized by UGC in terms of its establishment under Section 2(f) and Section 3 of the UGC Act, 1956, nor it is empowered to award any degree," the UGC said.

"Therefore, general public, students and other stakeholders are cautioned through this public notice not to take admission in any programme offered by Periyar University, Tamil Nadu through ODL mode. Taking admission in such programmes may jeopardize the career of the students, in view of the absence of recognition of the programmes by the UGC," it said.

It further said the general public, students, parents and other stakeholders are cautioned through this public notice not to take admission in the AIIPHS State Government University and termed it a self-styled institution.

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