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MG University shuts down 55 off-campus centres

The university had earlier shut down all off campus centres outside its jurisdiction at the intervention of the Chancellor.

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Trivandrum: The Mahatma Gandhi (MG) University at Kottayam in Kerala has shut down 55 off-campus centres, bringing an end to the distance education programme that served students living in remote and far flung areas.

Vice-Chancellor Babu Sebastian issued orders in this regard following a meeting of all the stakeholders convened by State Governor and Chancellor P. Sathasivam at the state capital of Trivandrum on Saturday. The centres were functioning within the jurisdiction of the university without government’s recognition.

The university had earlier shut down all off campus centres outside its jurisdiction at the intervention of the Chancellor. It had 133 off campus centres, six of them outside the state within India and seven outside India, mostly in the Gulf countries.

Following this, some of these centres had appealed to the state high court which was rejected. Another appeal by the Calicut University in this regard was also rejected by the high court. The university and its syndicate were not in favour of closing down the off campus centres since they accounted for a huge chunk of its revenue.

The closure of the off-campus centres has created uncertainty among students, who have enrolled for various courses. According to the university sources, about 40,000 students are seeking education through off-campus centres.

The vice-chancellor said that the closure of the off-campus centres will not affect the students, who are currently pursuing the courses through them. He said the university would send them study materials directly and also hold contact classes. They will be allowed to appear for the examinations in the existing exam centres of the university.

The Off-campus Centre Management Association has filed a fresh petition against the closure of the centres.

news@khaleejtimes.com

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