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The UGC officials also clarified that process of recognition of Distance Education programmes is still on. The University Grant Commission (UGC) has issued a circular stating that none of
the Open Distance Learning (ODL) programmes conducted by the University of Mumbai (MU) and other varsities has been de-recognised. The UGC officials also clarified that process of
recognition of Distance Education programmes is still on. Hundreds of students and authorities from the education department were confused after some newspaper reports stated that long
distance education courses conducted by the MU and few other varsities had been derecognised. While speaking at a programme in Pune, State Education Minister Vinod Tawade said that not a
single student of distance education course would lose his or her academic year. "The government of Maharashtra has taken care in this regard. In Mumbai University there are 14 ODL
programmes under which 34 courses are provided to students. In academic year 2017-2018, there were 69,000 students enrolled with Mumbai University's Institute of Distance and Open
Learning (IDOL)," he said. The UGC also issued a public notice clarifying that no ODL programme has been derecognised, and the process of recognition of Distance Education programme is
still on. According to the statement issued by the Mumbai University officials, the UGC will issue letters to HEI's (Higher Education Institutions i.e. universities) having deficiency
in distance programmes by August 16, 2018. The reply by the HEI's can be given within a month's time. If the HEI's are not satisfied with the recognition of the UGC, the
HEI's can make an appeal to the UGC. "After receiving the letter from the UGC, University of Mumbai will comply with the provisions of UGC within 30 days," said, spokesperson
of MU. RUMOUR HAS IT Many students and authorities were confused after some news reports stated that long distance education courses conducted by the MU and few other varsities had been
derecognised