The Open University, recommended by the Kerala State Higher Education Council to meet the high demand for advanced courses in newly emerging areas in the State, will become a reality by the next academic year, Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel has said.
Addressing a meeting of principals and managers of aided colleges on Wednesday, he said the State government would not allow any more self financing courses in aided colleges.
Mr. Jaleel said distance education and private registration would come under the Open University. This, he added, would reduce the pressure on universities and colleges.
The Minister said the State government would provide all assistance for upgradation of facilities and academic standards in aided institutions.
NAAC rating
He directed colleges to complete the formalities for NAAC accreditation by December 31 and provide online services for students. He also warned colleges against levying excess fee for self financing courses.
Director, Collegiate Education, Haritha V. Kumar and senior officials participated in the meeting.
The Open University has been proposed to delink the distance/private modes from the regular stream and relieve the universities of the immense administrative and logistical burden of distance/private mode courses.
Recogition
The Higher Education Council had mooted the idea of an Open University after the University Grants Commission insisted that only higher education institutions with valid NAAC accreditation of A+ grade and a minimum CGPA of 3.26 on a 4 point scale, would be granted recognition to run Open and Distance Learning (ODL) programmes in future.