University Grants Commission — optometry degree program

Address:

New Delhi, Delhi

UGC had released a Nomenclature list in 2014 which clearly indicated that Optometry in India will be B.Optometry program for 4 years duration. Last year in Maharashtra state In August 2016, a letter was issued by state medical education and drugs department that YCMOU, state open University which was offering the program since 2006 had to stop with immediate effect at Medical University with take over as it is a medical program. 5000 students who had enrolled in July for Lab technology and Optometry in state were sent home in September 2016 due to this letter. In 2016 MUHS did not start the course and is yet to start for 2017 and on the contrary SNDT University introduced the course under B.Vocational program. Now for students who enroll do no know the difference. Master's level and PhD and all Government jobs are available only for B.Sc. and B.Optometry. And none of State Universities have an answer to students concerns. And no one took responsibility for 5000 students who were sent home after enrollment. Health care needs in the state are suffering in the confusion created by leading educational bodies.