Degrees from unapproved foreign tie-ups not valid, warns college body

India Today

6 days ago

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a public warning to students and higher education institutions (HEIs) across India, urging them to steer clear of academic programmes offered through unrecognised collaborations with foreign institutions. This advisory comes amid growing concern over joint and online degrees being offered without UGC approval.In its latest notice, the Commission made it clear: degrees or diplomas granted through such arrangements will not be valid in India.advertisementUGC WARNS AGAINST UNAPPROVED FOREIGN COURSESThe UGC has reminded all stakeholders that only those foreign collaborations which comply with its 2022 and 2023 regulatory frameworks, covering joint degrees, dual degrees, and foreign university campuses in India, are recognised.
The statement follows a similar advisory issued on December 12, 2023. Despite earlier warnings, the Commission noted that several institutions and education technology (EdTech) companies continue to offer programmes in partnership with foreign universities that are not approved by the UGC.'These degrees are not recognised,' the UGC said, adding that it would take action against colleges and EdTech firms found violating these norms.The nature of such action has not been detailed but could include penalties under existing education regulations.STUDENTS ADVISED TO VERIFY ACADEMIC TIE-UPSThe advisory also addressed the rise in aggressive marketing tactics used by EdTech platforms.Many such companies, the Commission said, advertise unrecognised international programmes across social media, television, and newspapers, often misleading students and families into believing the degrees carry weight in India.The UGC has urged students and parents to be cautious and to verify the authenticity of foreign academic partnerships before enrolling. It warned that those who proceed with unapproved degrees would be doing so 'at their own risk and consequences.'Over the past few years, online and hybrid programmes with foreign universities have become more common, especially as digital learning has grown. But with this increase has come confusion over what is officially recognised and what is not.This latest notice reinforces the UGC's intent to regulate India's academic space more closely and prevent the spread of unregulated education models. It also reflects the Commission's ongoing push to ensure quality control in higher education, particularly as foreign universities begin to explore greater presence in India through UGC-sanctioned models.For now, the UGC's message is clear: if a foreign academic collaboration isn't formally approved under UGC rules, it holds no value.- Ends