Mumbai: The Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi has set up the National Accreditation Committee for Open and Distance Learning (NACODL) to accreditate institutions offering education through distance mode on the lines of conventional universities.

DEC is the statutory body responsible for the promotion and coordination of the Open University and distance education system.

V. N. Rajasekharan Pillai, chairman of DEC, said, "Like conventional universities are accredited by NAAC, a statutory body of UGC, institutes of distance education will be accredited by NACODL."

"We will publish the post accreditation, assessment reports on DEC's website. Remarks and ratings given in reports will be helpful for students and parents both to compare the quality of education at various institutes of distance learning," said Pillai.

DEC's call for accreditation is also an attempt to restore the parity between distance and conventional degrees.

Distance learning is considered as inferior to class room learning by various students, academicians and employers.

Infrastructure and human resources, student support system, relevance of programmes, employment opportunities, research and consultancy and governance will be assessed during the accreditation by NACODL.

NACODL has academicians and administrators from various distance and open learning institutes and government officials as their members.

Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) of Mumbai University is in the process to get accreditation.

D Harichandan, director of IDOL said, "All institutions offering education through distance mode have been asked to apply for assessment and accreditation. Currently we are preparing the self-assessment report which is the first stage of the accreditation process."

Currently over 60,000 students are pursuing courses under the banner of IDOL. "Process of accreditation will enable us to identify our short falls.