I would like to share my views about higher education and distance learning:
• Anybody who wants to pursue higher education should have a clear conscience as to whether he/she wants to gain education and knowledge or only desires to add one more degree after his/her name.
• One should also clarify why he/she is seeking a degree. Is it for professional growth, promotions, or a genuine interest in research?
• I feel that an MPhil or PhD may not be very beneficial for growth and promotions in the industry. Generally, in the industry, growth largely depends on the performance and potential of individuals, and the degree is secondary.
• In the case of being in the teaching profession, a PhD is essential for further growth, and pursuing a PhD through distance learning may not be very helpful in that scenario.
• Furthermore, in industries where degrees hold significance, it is crucial to consider who has conferred the degree, i.e., the name and reputation of the university and institution.
• Personally, I am against obtaining degrees through distance education, especially in higher education and research. Distance education should primarily be an avenue for those who, for specific reasons, could not attend a regular college but have practical working experience. Only graduation degrees in certain disciplines should be offered through distance education. Post-graduation, obviously, should not be offered through distance learning.
• I believe distance learning actually lowers the quality of education, and therefore, distance education should never be regarded on par with regular education.
• There has been a recent directive from the UGC or the Education Ministry that rightly prohibits the granting of PhDs through distance education. Fellow citehr members may provide more information on this.
Thanks & Regards