JSS to roll out distance education courses this year

Mysuru: JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research (JSS AHER) will join Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and the University of Mysore (UoM) — both based in the city — in offering online and distance education courses.
Sources in the state higher education department, say JSS, a deemed to be university, will launch its courses post June this year. University authorities said initially the varsity will launch distance education courses in subjects such as life sciences and hospital management. Various certificate courses will also be launched online.

B Manjunath, registrar, JSS AHER, told TOI: "Besides life sciences subjects, the varsity will also offer MBA in hospital management, master’s in public health etc. Later, we will include more courses based on demand. The online certificate courses will also be related to life sciences subjects. We will hold hands-on training programmes and weekend classes besides other activity for candidates who enroll.”

Manjunath said the courses will be offered from their Ooty campus as well. "It will be another feather in the cap for Mysuru," he said.

Distance education course hub

A senior official in the higher education department said from the previous academic year (2017-18), the University Grants Commission (UGC) has permitted private universities to offer distance education courses. Prior to that, only state-run universities could take up distance education. "The final goal of all these initiatives is to increase enrolment for higher education,” the official said.

Meanwhile, students are thrilled Mysuru city has enhanced its reputation as a hub of distance education and they say it could create job opportunities.

“Mysuru is known as the educational city,” said SK Punya, a student from the Vivekanandanagar. “It has the country's oldest institutions. More institutes will help the city to regain its old glory.”