Government tells KSOU to stop courses run outside Karnataka

VC asked to submit report on ‘questionable’ courses

Even as the de-recognition of programmes of the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) by the University Grants Commission (UGC) has set off a blame game, the State government has asked the KSOU to stop all courses run outside the State right away and submit a detailed report on the “questionable” courses — technical, medical, paramedical and nursing.

Bharat Lal Meena, Principal Secretary (Higher Education), Government of Karnataka, in a letter to KSOU Vice-Chancellor M.G. Krishnan has told the university to operate within Karnataka and stop admissions for students from other States.

He said the State government and the MHRD have taken a “serious view” of the KSOU running courses outside its jurisdiction and offering technical and professional courses. Mr. Meena told the Vice-Chancellor that the government is not ready to put students in trouble by the university’s actions. He also cited the Supreme Court judgment in Prof. Yashpal vs. State of Chhattisgarh case, which clearly defined the jurisdiction of the universities.

Mr. Meena’s letter was triggered by a letter to him by S.P. Goyal, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, MHRD.

“KSOU has been blatantly flouting the norms of the former DEC and the UGC. Thousands of innocent students have been trapped due to wrong publicity about jurisdiction and the validity of types of courses. The ministry had received a large number of complaints from students/parents and other stakeholders about non-recognition and validity of degrees awarded by the KSOU,” Mr. Goyal wrote.

There is contradiction in the jurisdiction as per the KSOU Act, and the university has therefore conveniently taken shelter under Section 3 (2) of the Act to go beyond the State boundaries and open its study centres, said the letter, a copy of which is available with The Hindu .

Meanwhile, at the press conference here on Monday, Prof. Krishnan urged the government to bring necessary amendments to the KSOU Act for sticking to its jurisdiction. They announced that the KSOU will approach the UGC to continue its recognition, arguing that the courses in question had already been withdrawn.

It’s time to put a full stop to all unlawful activities of the KSOU and prevent ruining the future of students by offering courses without approval. By this conduct, KSOU’s degrees/diplomas are not considered valid by employers in the job market.

S.P. Goyal

Joint Secretary, HRD Ministry,

New Delhi

The State govt. has taken a serious view of the KSOU running technical/professional courses and operating outside its jurisdiction. We are not ready to put the students in trouble and therefore the university must stop all courses being offered outside the State.

Bharat Lal Meena

Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Karnataka government

What action has the former DEC or the UGC taken against other universities that have study centres and are running courses outside their jurisdiction. KSOU acted based on its Act, which permits it to open study centres outside its jurisdiction.

M.G. Krishnan

Vice-Chancellor, KSOU, Mysuru

Source | http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/government-tells-ksou-to-stop-courses-run-outside-karnataka/article7344010.ece