Efforts to restore accreditation and regain approval for courses have been underway since October 2023.
Team Clarion
PATNA – Nalanda Open University finds itself in the throes of a crisis as the University Grants Commission (UGC) has withdrawn its approval for undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) courses, leaving the academic future of approximately 25,000 students hanging in the balance.
Situated in Patna, Nalanda Open University, a 37-year-old institution, has been grappling with the repercussions of the UGC’s decision, which stemmed from the non-approval of core courses in the academic session of 2023-24. This sudden development has thrown the educational journey of thousands of students into uncertainty, raising concerns over their academic prospects.
Despite being recognised by the UGC, the university has not obtained accreditation from the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). While the university achieved favourable grading in December 2013, the UGC’s decision to withhold approval for PG courses in the current academic session has had far-reaching consequences.
Dr. Krishna Chandra Sinha, Vice-Chancellor of Nalanda Open University, lamented the situation, highlighting that due to the non-approval of courses by the UGC, admissions to UG and PG courses have been stalled. Only intermediate, diploma, and certificate courses have been permitted thus far, leaving a significant number of students unable to pursue their desired academic paths.
The registrar of the university, Dr. Muhammad Habibur Rahman, shed light on the efforts made to address the issue. Despite submitting the necessary documents and seeking accreditation, the UGC has postponed the process, plunging the university into a state of uncertainty. Rahman emphasised the urgency of the situation, warning that further delays could have detrimental effects on the academic aspirations of thousands of students.
Efforts to restore accreditation and regain approval for courses have been underway since October 2023, with the university sending multiple letters to the UGC and seeking assistance from the Distance Education Bureau. However, the lack of a definitive response from the UGC has exacerbated the predicament faced by the university and its students.
The looming threat of losing accreditation and approval for courses has cast a shadow over the current academic session, with fears that students may lose their chance to pursue higher education. The university has made appeals to the UGC for swift action, emphasising the detrimental impact that further delays would have on the educational journey of its students.
As the university awaits a response from the UGC, the fate of 25,000 students hangs in the balance, highlighting the urgent need for decisive action to resolve the crisis and ensure the continuity of education at Nalanda Open University.
