BENGALURU: The 24-year old Mysuru-based Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) has got a new lease of life with the government deciding to make it the sole provider of distance education in Karnataka.
KSOU, which was offering 400 courses, was derecognised in 2015 by University Grants Commission (UGC) following a series of scams allegedly involving some top officials. The authorities had to run from pillar to post to get recognition, which was finally granted in 2017. For three years, the varsity had been making attempts to restore its lost credibility. By making it the state’s only open-learning university, the government has given KSOU a much-needed boost.
“The credibility of distance education was very less. It was considered that a distance education degree was on sale. Most universities were considering it a revenue-generation model rather than using it to impart quality education. To ensure Karnataka revives the credibility of distance learning, we decided to make KSOU the sole open university,” said higher education minister CN Ashwath Narayan.
With 5,000 students on its rolls in July 2017, KSOU is now looking at an ambitious target of 3 lakh students. This after the government said all 14 state-run regular universities will have to stop offering distance education.
The government intends to relaunch open and distance learning from this academic year; students currently enrolled in distance courses at other varsities can complete them. “Only fresh enrolments will be made under KSOU and no other university can offer ODL. Regular universities need to concentrate on regular education,” added Narayan.
Compared to other universities, KSOU is better equipped to handle distance education. “From recorded classes to providing education through our own radio channel called Jnanavani, the university has all the resources,” said a KSOU staffer.
Leveraging tech
In fact, the university has launched its own student application and a video-conferencing application, wherein registered students — 500 at a time — can attend lectures by KSOU teachers. “In times of Covid-19, KSOU has an opportunity to use technology, with regular universities skeptical about launching regular classes,” said Narayan.
KSOU, which was offering 400 courses, was derecognised in 2015 by University Grants Commission (UGC) following a series of scams allegedly involving some top officials. The authorities had to run from pillar to post to get recognition, which was finally granted in 2017. For three years, the varsity had been making attempts to restore its lost credibility. By making it the state’s only open-learning university, the government has given KSOU a much-needed boost.
“The credibility of distance education was very less. It was considered that a distance education degree was on sale. Most universities were considering it a revenue-generation model rather than using it to impart quality education. To ensure Karnataka revives the credibility of distance learning, we decided to make KSOU the sole open university,” said higher education minister CN Ashwath Narayan.
With 5,000 students on its rolls in July 2017, KSOU is now looking at an ambitious target of 3 lakh students. This after the government said all 14 state-run regular universities will have to stop offering distance education.
The government intends to relaunch open and distance learning from this academic year; students currently enrolled in distance courses at other varsities can complete them. “Only fresh enrolments will be made under KSOU and no other university can offer ODL. Regular universities need to concentrate on regular education,” added Narayan.
Compared to other universities, KSOU is better equipped to handle distance education. “From recorded classes to providing education through our own radio channel called Jnanavani, the university has all the resources,” said a KSOU staffer.
Leveraging tech
In fact, the university has launched its own student application and a video-conferencing application, wherein registered students — 500 at a time — can attend lectures by KSOU teachers. “In times of Covid-19, KSOU has an opportunity to use technology, with regular universities skeptical about launching regular classes,” said Narayan.
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