IDOL Offers 'Unauthorised' Courses, Puts Careers of 74,000 Students at Risk

Guwahati, December 2, 2019:

A Comptroller and Auditor General of India report has revealed that Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL), Gauhati University, has risked the career prospects of students by offering 21 unapproved courses through its Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) centres during 2010-2017.

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As the University had offered the courses without the approval of the University Grants Commission (UGC), as many as 73,912 students, who enrolled in those courses, now face an uncertain future.

It has been reported that the University also took Rs 39.06 Cr from the students for these courses, which are found to be invalid for Government jobs.

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Audit observed that IDOL, Gauhati University offered 21 unapproved courses beyond the approved eight coursed through ODL during the year 2010-11 to 2016-17. DEC, IGNOU, had clearly stated (July 2013) that courses offered by GU through distance mode other than eight courses, would be

"The GU was offering unapproved courses risking the career prospects of the students as degrees under such courses were not valid for jobs in central government services. The matter was reported to the government (Assam) in August 2018 but their reply was still awaited (July 2019)," the CAG report, tabled in the Assam Assembly on Friday, said.

Earlier, the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), with the approval of the Distance Education Council (DEC) accorded recognition to the IDOL in August 2010 for offering eight courses through distance education mode. It was later extended till 2017-18.

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