The University Grant Commission has granted its approval to the Distance Education Programme run by learning Center Association of Punjab Technical University, ludhiana. The university is expected to start the admission process soon.
The decision came after the PTU’s distance education program was stayed by the Delhi High Court in 2013 due to absence of this approval.
Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) had on August 6 issued a letter of approval from the UGC to the university to continue with the programme. But the university is yet to inform the High Court for vacating the stay on fresh admissions.
Two years ago, the court had barred PTU from conducting admissions under its distance education programme since the university did not have mandatory approval from the Distance Education Council (DEC). The programme was closed two years ago throughout the country.
Thanking the Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Samriti Irani for expediting long pending approval, Punjab Technical Education Minister Madan Mohan Mittal on Sunday said that this approval was pending since 2013.
“With sincere efforts of HRD Minister, the approval will be beneficial for thousands of students who want to study in Government and technical university at affordable cost,” he said.
Mittal said that future of more than 5000 staff members working at 200 learning centers was also safeguarded with the approval. Members of PTU lC Association on Sunday reached the residence of Mittal for expressing their thanks, and said that this approval was the result of undying efforts of Mittal.