New Delhi: The legal tussle between IGNOU and University of Delhi over recognition of correspondence courses has been resolved with the former on Friday agreeing to recognise the distant education course provided by DU.
Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU) informed the Delhi High Court that it has agreed to give post facto recognition of the programmes offered through distance mode by the University of Delhi (DU).
The decision came as a respite to more than 50 students who had qualified the entrance examination for government jobs but were not issued appointment letters by the Staff Selection Commission (SSC) on the grounds that their degree was not recognised, prompting the DU to approach the court.
In its petition, the DU sought directions to the Centre, IGNOU and SSC to recognise its degrees awarded through the distance education programme.
Justice Siddharth Mirdul, after admitting IGNOU`s contention, directed the SSC to take immediate action for issuing appointment letters to these candidates.
Advocate Amit Kumar, who had appeared on behalf of students, welcomed the decision of IGNOU and said that the students would no longer have to suffer because of the battle of one-upmanship between the Universities.
The Universities were at loggerheads as the IGNOU refused to recognise the distant education programme of DU on the grounds that all such courses came under its regulation while the latter contended that its programmes were run independently.
"We (DU) have been running the distance education programmes since 1962 after Parliament passed the legislation. IGNOU was established much later and the Distance Education Council (DEC) was set up in 1992 which is a subordinate authority," the Delhi University had said.
IGNOU, however, argued that it has also been established by Parliament for imparting distance education and regulating it through DEC which cannot be said to be a subordinate authority.
The Court, had earlier on March 30 had issued notice to the Centre, SSC and IGNOU, seeking explanation for not recognising DU`s correspondence course.
Bureau Report
