CHENNAI: As per a notification issued by the University Grants Commission, Anna University and 10 other institutions in Tamil Nadu have been allowed to offer fullfledged online degree programmes.
Students will get a chance to enrol in nearly 80 online courses, including MCA, MBA, BBA, BCom, BCA, MA and MSc, from July this year.
Thirty-eight institutes from across the country, including Bharathidasan University, Alagappa University and Madurai Kamaraj University, now don’t require UGC’s prior approval to start these programmes.
At least six deemed universities in TN that are within the top 100 in NIRF ranking have also been allowed to offer these programmes.
The institutions are gearing up with facilities such as studios and are hiring experts to prepare content for these online programmes.
BCA to MBA: Many online options on offerS RM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST) had applied for eight online degree programmes including BBA in digital marketing, MBA in business analytics, and MBA in marketing management.
“We launched an MBA online programme in February as we got the approval in January.
The remaining programmes will be launched in July,” said Manoranjan Pon Ram, director, online education, SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST).
“From 2020 we started building technology infrastructure like hi-tech lab and academic preparation.
The institute also prepared the SRM Online Learning Platform which can provide complete learning for students,” he said.
Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science (HITS) has started the Centre for Open and Digital Education to start online degree programmes from 2021-22.
“We have been preparing for the last one year and hiring experts to offer online degree programmes.
We will include as many programmes as possible focusing on working professionals and homemakers,” said RW Alexander Jesudasan, pro-vice-chancellor, HITS.
Sastra has got the permission to offer eight online degree programmes and started online degrees like BCom and BCA.
“Our online degree programmes are AAA driven (any place, any device and any time) focusing on the demands of diverse working professionals,” said S Vaidyasubramaniam, vice-chancellor of Sastra.