The popularity of online MBA is on the rise and it has become a topmost choice of working professionals who aspire to attain progress in their career without the requirement of physically attending their B-school. However, this rise in popularity of online MBA draws certain concerns regarding the legitimacy and quality of the degree program. In this blog post we will read about the importance of UGC-approved online MBA courses in India the criteria for UGC approval, and the benefits of pursuing them.
Understanding the UGC Approval
The University Grants Commission (UGC) is the statutory body under the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education that ensures the maintenance of standards and quality education being imparted by various universities across the nation.
The courses that are approved by the UGC, indicate the legitimacy and quality of the education program, including the online MBA courses.
Various reasons that are essential for UGC approval are mentioned below-
Quality Assurance: When the online MBA program of an institution is UGC-approved or entitled, it signifies that the program meets the required quality standards and the education that is being imparted to the learners is meaningful and valuable.
Employability: Most of the reputed organisations look for employees who have their degree approved by UGC. When an employee holds an online MBA degree approved by UGC, their chances of employability increases due to their qualification being credible and authentic.
Higher Studies: When learners have their online MBA approved by UGC they can go for higher studies such as Ph.D., without facing any hassle, as their degrees are recognised by UGC.
Eligibility for Study Loan: It’s easy for learners to avail education loans for degrees such as online MBA which are approved by UGC. Learners can also get government scholarships when they choose to pursue a UGC approved online MBA degree.
International Recognition: The UGC approved online MBA program is internationally recognised and employers all over the world accept it as a credible qualification, thus it becomes easy for learners to grab job opportunities when they have a UGC approved online MBA degree.
Criteria of Measurement for UGC approval of Online MBA programs
The University Grants Commission (UGC) has laid certain norms that online MBA programs must meet to attain the approval status. The measuring criteria for online MBA programs are designed to maintain a high quality standard and provision of quality learning experience to learners.
Some of the criteria are mentioned below-
Recognition: The institution offering an online MBA must be a UGC recognised institution/college/university.
Duration: The online MBA programs should have a minimum duration of two years, that is equivalent to the traditional MBA programs.
Curriculum: The curriculum of online MBA should include core subjects in management, and should also give practical learning experience to learners in form of internships and projects.
Qualified Faculty: The faculty members of an online MBA program should be well qualified and must have academic and industry experience for the institution to be recognised by UGC.
Infrastructure: To provide online MBA courses, institutions must be equipped with proper infrastructure and technology that supports online learning. The institution providing online MBA must have a Learning Management System (LMS), e-learning resources, and technical support system that make accessing online MBA classes easy for learners.
Performance Evaluation and Assessment: The performance of learners must be regularly evaluated with complete transparency as learners pursue their online MBA from a UGC recognised institution.
Regular Updates: The institution providing online MBA should regularly update their curriculum that matches the industry trends to remain aligned with the curriculum of international standards.
Most Popular UGC Approved Institutions Providing Online MBA
There are several reputed institutions offering the UGC-approved online MBA courses in India. Let’s read about some of them mentioned below-
Chandigarh University, Centre of Online Education: The Centre of Online Education, Chandigarh University offers UGC-entitled online MBA degree. The duration of the degree program is 2-years giving the provision of dual specialisation to learners amid the various fields of specialisation such as Human Resources, International Business, Marketing, Finance, and much more. Chandigarh University is QS top-ranked private university in India and is NAAC A+ accredited which assures top quality education to learners all across the world.
ICFAI University: The Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India (ICFAI) University offers UGC-entitled online MBA program with specialisation in fields such as Human Resource Management, Operations Management, and Investment Management.
IGNOU: The Indira Gandhi National Open University offers UGC and AICTE recognised online MBA program with the provision of specialisations in Human Resource Management, Marketing Management, Financial Management, Operations Management and Services Management. Learners can choose the specialisation as per his or her choice and requirement.
Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning: Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning offers UGC-entitled online MBA programs to learners with specialisation in Marketing, Human Resources Management, Finance, Operations, Logistics – Supply Chain Management, Agri Operations Management, International Business, Business Analytics, Hospital and Healthcare Management.
SRM University: The Directorate of Online Education, SRM University, offers online MBA program to learners which are UGC-entitled and the university is also NAAC A++ accredited. The various specialisations offered by the university in the online MBA program are Finance, Marketing, Business Analytics, and Human Resources.
Advantages of Pursuing UGC-Approved Online MBA
Recognised Qualification: Graduates of UGC-entitled/approved online MBA programs hold a recognised qualification which is much valued in the job market. Learners having a UGC entitled/approved online MBA degree have higher chances of getting good job opportunities and career growth.
Quality Education: The UGC approval of an online MBA program ensures a high quality standard being met by the program and also indicates that the learners are well equipped with industry knowledge and skills which increases their scope of getting hired by reputed organisations.
Ample Specialisations Available: UGC approved/entitled online MBA program offer learners a variety of specialisations options to choose from. Learners can choose from specialisations such as Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Information and Technology, and much more.
Global Opportunities: The curriculum of UGC-entitled/approved online MBA programs are aligned with international standards and learners are taught case studies of global level, which prepares them to go for global career opportunities.
Networking: UGC approved online MBA programs provide networking opportunities, connecting learners with peers, faculty, and industry experts, which can lead to valuable professional connections and enhance career opportunities for learners.
Conclusion
UGC entitled or approved online MBA degree signifies the high quality online education being imparted to learners that enables them to seek better career opportunities and get growth in their career. A UGC approved online MBA degree has a better market value and learners holding a UGC approved online MBA get global exposure that opens international avenues for jobs. The promise of successful career and par-excellence education is ensured when institutions provide online MBA degrees that are UGC entitled or approved.
A UGC entitled or approved online degree courses is understood as a recognised qualification being provided by reputed and accredited institutions which are verified by education bodies such as NAAC or AICTE. Therefore, getting a UGC-approved online MBA degree is essential for learners because it has a global recognition and it maximises the scope of career success for learners.
