NEW DELHI: A recent survey of 90,000 students has revealed significant concerns about fraud in online education. The study conducted by College Vidya a leading online platform enabling students highlights that half of all prospective students express serious concerns about potential fraudulent practices in online education.
The comprehensive survey reveals that for every 10 students inquiring about online courses, 5 raise concerns about fraud. These worries primarily revolve around payment security, degree validity, and the authenticity of job placement claims. The data shows that 50% of students specifically check for UGC approval before considering any online program, while 30% show significant hesitation in making payments without proper verification. Additionally, 20% of students question the accuracy of placement and career outcome claims made by online education providers.
These findings align with recent warnings issued by the University Grants Commission (UGC) regarding fraudulent online programs. According to UGC's official guidelines, several disciplines including Engineering, Medical Sciences, Law, Architecture, and Pharmacy are prohibited from being offered through online or Open and Distance Learning (ODL) modes. This restriction has been put in place to maintain educational standards and protect student interests.
The survey data also indicates a growing trend of careful decision-making among students in the online education space. About 80% of students now take the time to verify institutional recognition on the Distance Education Bureau (DEB) website and carefully check if their chosen program is allowed under UGC guidelines.
There is also an increasing emphasis on understanding fee structures and verifying placement records before making any commitments. A significant development in this direction is the new requirement starting where students enrolling in recognized ODL and online programs must generate a UGC-DEB ID. This measure aims to add another layer of security and verification for students pursuing online education.
Based on these survey findings, Rohit Gupta, COO of College Vidya, comments, "Students take several precautionary steps before enrolling in online programs. These include thorough verification of institutional recognition through official channels, careful evaluation of placement claims, and maintaining vigilance against misleading advertisements. The study emphasizes the importance of transparent fee structures and proper accreditation in building trust in online education."
This comprehensive survey highlights the growing awareness among students about the importance of choosing legitimate online education options, while also underlining the need for stronger measures to prevent fraudulent practices in the sector.
About College Vidya
Established in 2019 and headquartered in Noida, College Vidya is a trailblazing education platform at the forefront of India's online educational landscape. The organization has achieved remarkable success due to its exceptional team of visionary founders- Mayank Gupta (Co-Founder and CEO), Rohit Gupta (Co-Founder and COO), and Sarthak Garg (Co-Founder and CMO). Mayank Gupta, deeply committed to students' career development, identified the need to challenge the existing sales-oriented approach prevalent in the industry.
With this philosophy in mind, College Vidya was incorporated, introducing a transparent system that provides students with accurate and factual information about various colleges and courses, guiding them toward diverse and promising career paths. With a rich heritage stemming from the esteemed Blackboard Education & Research Foundation established in 1996, College Vidya has positioned itself as the nation's foremost and One-stop solution for making informed online education choices driven by a spirit of innovation, the company is dedicated to transforming the traditional education system and democratizing access to high-quality learning experiences.
