C E N T R A
L U N I V E R S I T I E S
-
President of India is the Visitor of all Central
Universities.
-
President/Visitor nominates some members to the Executive
Committee/Board of Management/Court/Selection Committees of the University as per the
provisions made in the relevant University Act.
-
Ministry provides secretariat service for appointment of
Vice-Chancellor/Executive Committee Nominees/Court Nominees/Selection Committee Nominees
etc. by the President.
There are 18 Central Universities under the purview
of the MHRD which have been set up by Acts of Parliament. The details are
as under:-
|
Sl.No. |
Name &
Address of University |
Vice-Chancellor |
|
1 |
UNIVERSITY OF DELHI
DELHI -110 007
FAX -91-011
www.du.ac.in |
Prof. DEEPAK PENTAL
27667011 (O)
27666921 (R) |
|
2 |
JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITY
NEW DELHI -110 067
FAX – 91-011 – 26717580
www.jnu.ac.in |
Prof. B.B. BHATTACHARYA
2671 7500 (O)
2618 5489, (R)
vcoffice@juniv.ernet.in |
|
3 |
JAMIA MILLIA ISLAMIA,
JAMIA NAGAR,
NEW DELHI -110 023.
FAX –011-6840229/6821232
http://jmi.home.dhs.org |
Prof. MUSHIRUL HASAN
26982153/26984650 (O)
26980273 (R) |
|
4 |
INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY,
MAIDAN GARHI,
NEW DELHI -110 068.
FAX - 91 -011-6862312.
www.ignou.ac.in
|
Prof.
V.N. RAJASEKHARAN PILLAI,
Vice-Chancellor
TEL: 91-11-29532707/
29532484
FAX: 91-11-29535933
|
|
5 |
BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY
VARANASI -221 005
FAX-91-0542-368174
VC FAX
- 316946
|
Prof. D.P.SINGH
2307220 (O)
FAX - 2369951
vc_bhu@banaras.ernet.in |
|
6 |
ALIGARH MUSLIM UNIVERSITY,
ALIGARH -202 002
FAX - 0571-2700528
www.amu.nic.in |
PROF. P K ABDUL AZIZ
Vice Chancellor
TEL:
91-571-2700994
FAX:91-571-2700528/ 2401815 |
|
7 |
VISVA-BHARATI, SANTINIKETAN,
WEST BENGAL –731 235
FAX–91-03463-262672
www.vbharat.ernet.in |
Prof. RAJAT KANTA ROY
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-3463-262451
FAX:91-3463-262672/261156 |
|
8 |
HYDERABAD UNIVERSITY
HYDERABAD-500 046
FAX-91-040-3010145,
3010120
www.uohyd.ernet.in |
Dr.
Seyed E. Hasnain
Vice-Chancellor
TEL: 91-40-23010121
FAX:
91-40-23010145/ 23011090 |
|
9 |
PONDICHERRY UNIVERSITY
PONDICHERRY –605 014
FAX –091-0413-2655 265
E-mail:
anilb42@yahoo.com |
Prof. J.K.Tareen
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-413-2655175/ 2655209
FAX:
91-413-2655265/2655734 |
|
10 |
NORTH-EASTERN HILL UNIVERSITY,
SHILLONG –793 022
FAX-91-03 64-551153,
227705 |
Prof. Pramod Tandon
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-364-2721003/ 2721004
FAX:
91-364-255000/2551153 |
|
11 |
ASSAM UNIVERSITY
SILCHAR , ASSAM – 788
011
FAX -03 842-32779, 70802 |
Prof.
Tapodhir
Bhattacharya
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-3842-270801
FAX:91-3842-270802/06 |
|
12 |
TEZPUR UNIVERSITY
NAPAAM, TEZPUR –784 025
DIST. SONITPUR ASSAM
FAX -03 712-21539,
267006
www.tezu.ernet.in
|
Prof.
Mihir
K. Chaudhuri
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-3712-267003
FAX:91-3712-267005/267006 |
|
13 |
NAGALAND UNIVERSITY,
KOHIMA-797 001
NAGALAND
FAX-03 70-222523,
223146, 222607
www.nagauniv.org
|
Prof.
K. Kannan
Vice-Chancellor
TEL: 91-370-2290488
FAX: 91-370-2290349/
2225223
|
|
14 |
BABASAHEB BHIMRAO AMBEDKAR UNIVERSITY, VIDYA VIHAR, RAE BARELI ROAD, LUCKNOW-226 025.
FAX-0522-44-0821 |
Prof.
B. Hanumaih
Acting
Vice-Chancellor
TEL: 91-522-240820
FAX:
91-522-2440821 |
|
15 |
MAULANA AZAD NATIONAL URDU UNIVERSITY
Gachibowli.
HYDERABAD -500 032.
FAX
-040- 2300 6612, 13, 14, 15 |
Dr. A.M. Pathan
Vice-Chancellor
TEL:
91-40-23006601
FAX: 91-40-23006603 |
|
16 |
MAHATMA GANDHI ANTARAASHTRIYA HINDI
VISHWAVIDYALAYA
WARDHA, MAHARASHTRA
Post Box No. 16,
Panchitteela,
Arvi Road, Umri, Wardha
– Pin. 442001.
Fax
No. 0752 - 230903 |
Dr.
G. Gopinathan
Vice-Chancellor
TEL: 91-7152-230907
FAX:
91-7152-230903 |
|
17 |
MIZORAM UNIVERSITY
P. B.
No. 190, Aizawal, Mizoram -796012
Fax
No. 0389-340313 |
Prof. A.N. Rai
TEL.: 91-389-2330650
FAX :
91-389-2330650,51 |
|
18 |
UNIVERSITY OF
ALLAHABAD
Senate Hall, Allahabad –
211 002
|
Prof. R.G. Harshe
Vice-Chancellor
TEL :
91-532-2461157
FAX: 91-532-2451157/ 2461089 |
Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
Jawaharlal Nehru University came into existence in
1969 by an Act of Parliament. It is primarily concerned with Post-graduate
Education and Research. The University has been identified by the
University Grants Commission as one of the University in the Country with
‘Potential of Excellence’. It has 9 schools consisting of 27 centres of
studies and 4 special centres. The strength of its teaching and
non-teaching staff is 420 and 1297 respectively. 4890 students were on
rolls.
For further details visit JNU Home page
http://www.jnu.ac.in
University of Delhi
University of Delhi was established in February,
1922 as a unitary and residential university. It has 14 faculties,
82 teaching departments and 78 college spread over national Capital
Territory of Delhi.
For further details visit University of Delhi Home
page
http://www.du.ac.in
A new State University – Indraprashtha
Vishwavidhlaya has come up in Delhi as an affiliating University.
Jamia Millia
Islamia
Functioned as a Deemed University since 1962.
Acquired the status of a Central University in December 1988 by an Act of
Parliament. Imparts education from Nursery stage to Post-graduate
and Doctorate levels. It has 29 Departments, excluding the various Centres
of Studies and Research, grouped under 7 Faculties. Offering a total of
121 courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, in addition to
Ph.D Programmes. It has on its rolls a total of 14,000 students, including
97 foreign students from 38 countries. The total strength of
the teaching staff is 612 (including 120 for School Sector) and that of
the non-teaching staff is 997. Apart from providing training at
Postgraduate level in Mass Communication, A.J. Kidwai Mass Communication
Research Centre produces material on different educational aspects/subjets
for the UGC's INSAT Programme.
The new initiatives taken in the areas of academics
include setting up of the various new Centres, including (i) Centre for
Jawaharlal Nehru Studies, (ii) Centre for West Asian Studies, (iii) Centre
for Dalit and Minorities Studies, (iv) Centre for Spanish and Latin
American Studies and (v) Centre for Comparative Religion.
Indira Gandhi
National Open University (IGNOU)
Established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament for
introduction and promotion of Open University and distance education
system in the Country. Major objectives include widening of access
to higher education. During 2005 the University offered 101
programmes and the total number of students registered for various
programmes reached over 3,60,000. Its Students ‘Supports Services consist
of 48 Regional Centres, six Sub Regional Centres and 1200 Study Centres.
IGNOU programmes telecast on National Channel (DD-1) in the morning slot
and Gyan Darshan, exclusive education channel. At present, the
University has bouquet of six digital channels of Gyan Darshan,
Under the Gyan Vani FM Radio initiative, the University has set up 17
Radio Stations. Today IGNOU has set up its study centres and has
entered into collaboration with educational institutions in 35 countries.
Distance Education Council (DEC) under IGNOU has the
responsibility for coordination and maintenance of standards in open and
distance education system in the country.
For further details visit IGNOU Home page
http:/www.ignou.ac.in.
Aligarh
Muslim University
Established in 1920 as a fully residential Central
University. It has 102 Departments/Institutions/ Centers/units
grouped under 12 faculties. It also maintains four Hospitals, six
Colleges (including Medical, Dental and Engineering Colleges), two
Polytechnics and eight Schools. Offers six diploma-level
vocational courses exclusively for women. 19,703 students (excluding its
secondary schools’ strength) drawn from 25 States of the country are on
its rolls. Strength of the teaching staff is 1,457 and that of
non-teaching staff is 5,899.
Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi
Came into existence in 1916 as a teaching and
residential University. It consists of three Institutions –
Institute of Medical Sciences, Institute of Technology and Institute of
Agrecultural Sciences. It has faculties with 121 academic departments and
4 Inter-diciplinary schools. It maintains a constituent Mahila
Mahavidyalaya and three School level institutions. 1000-Bedded
Modern/Ayurvedic Medicine Hospital. It has 14, 812
students in the rolls. Teaching staff 1,162 and non-teaching 7,088.
University of
Hyderabad
Established in 1974 as one of the premier Central
Universities which has been identified as a ‘University with Potential for
Excellence’ by the University Grants Commission. The University was
established for post graduate teaching and research 22km from the city of
Hyderabad on the Old Hyderabad – Bombay road. It has a City Campus –
The Golden Threshold- the residence of the late Smt. Sarojini Naidu The
University has Eight Schools of Studies and a Centre for Distance
Education offering post-graduate diploma in five disciplines. The student
strength of the University during the year 2003-04 was 2477 out of which
51 per cent are research students pursuing PhD and M.Phil/M.Tech
Programmes in various disciplines. For further details visit
University of Hyderabad Home page
http://www.uohyd.ernet.in.
Visva Bharati
An educational institution founded by late Gurudev
Rabindranath Tagore in 1921 was declared in 1951, by an Act of Parliament,
as an institution of national importance to provide for its functioning as
a unitary, teaching and residential University. Its jurisdiction is
restricted to the area known as Santiniketan in the district Birbhum, West
Bengal. It imparts education from the Primary School level to
Post-graduate and Doctorate levels. It has twelve institutes –
eight at Santiniketan, three at Sriniketan and one at Kolkata.. It has on
its rolls a total of 6,227 students, including its Schools’ strength.
The total strength of teaching and non-teaching staff is 550 and 1,400
respectively. Admission is on the basis of merit adjudged
through Admission Test.
Palli Samgathana Vibhaga, originally established by
Gurudev Tagore in Sriniketan in 1922 with the primary objective to bring
about regeneration of village life through self-reliance in the village
around Santiniketan and Sriniketan, is now one of the Institutes of the
University with four Departments – Rural Extension Centre, Silpa Sadana (a
pioneering institute in India in developing cottage and small scale
industries), Department of Social Work and Palli Charcha Kendra (offering
a Ph.D. programme and two PG level courses – in Anthropology and Rural
Development – apart from conducting research on various aspects of the
life of the rural people).
North
Eastern Hill University
Established in 1973 at Shillong by an Act of
Parliament with the object to disseminate and advance knowledge by
providing instructional and research facilities in various branches of
learning and also to pay special attention to the improvement of the
social and economic conditions and welfare of the people of the hilly
areas . The University has its jurisdiction over the State of Meghalaya
and has a Campus at Tura. The NEHU presently has 24 academic
departments and four centers of studies under six schools. There are 58
under graduate colleges and 8 professional colleges affiliated to the
University. The number of students studying for their Master’s Degrees and
research students working for their M.Phil and PhD degrees is close to
1700. The faculty strength of the University is over 300. The
undergraduate colleges affiliated to the University enroll about 19,500
students For further details write e,mail to the Registrar, NEHU in E.mail
address
khathing@nehu.ac.in.
Pondicherry University, Pondicherry
Established by an Act of Parliament in 1985 as a
teaching-cum-affiliating university with its jurisdiction over the Union
Territories of Pondicherry and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has 8
Schools, 24 Departments and 9 Centres, and it offers Certificate Course in
one discipline, Post-graduate programme in 26 disciplines, M.Tech. in one
discipline, M. Phil programme in 23 disciplines, Ph.D. programme in 26
disciplines and PG Diploma programme in 6 disciplines. The
University has 41 affiliated institutions of which 27 are located in
Pondicherry, 5 in Karaikal, 2 in Mahe, 2 in Yanam and 5 in Andaman and
Nicobar Islands. Total students strength in these institutions is
21034. Students enrolment in the University is 1538, out of which
312 students belong to SC/ST and women students are 536. University
has a faculty strength of 136 teachers and 523 non-teaching staff.
35 Research Scholars have registered for the Ph.D. programme. 68 sponsored
Research Projects of topical relevance are in progress.
Nagaland University
It was established in 1994 as a
teaching-cum-affiliating University with Head quarters at Lumami, Nagaland
with the objective to disseminate and advance knowledge by providing
instructional and research facilities and to make provision for
various integrated courses, innovations in teaching-learning process and
to pay special attention to the improvement of social and economic
conditions and welfare of the people of Nagaland, their
intellectual, academic and cultural development. The University has
jurisdiction over the whole of the State of Nagaland and has 25
Departments and 4 Schools of studies with 47 colleges affiliated to
it. The University has campuses in Kohima, Lumami and Medziphema
(School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development- SASRD).
Faculty strength of the University is 109 and Students enrollment is
18,078. For further details may contact E.mail address
gduttasharma@yahoo.co.in.
Tezpur University
A non-affliliating unitary Central University set up
in 1994 under an Act of Parliament. Its aim is to offer
employment-oriented and inter-disciplinary courses, mostly at
post-graduate level. The University has 12 Departments under 4
Schools of studies and 6 centres of Studies with 79 faculty members and
Students enrollment of 648 or further details may contact e.mail address
pcdeka@tezu.emet.in/ahom-m@tezu.emet.in
Assam University
Established as a teaching-cum-affiliating University
on 21.1.1994 with the objective to disseminate and advance knowledge by
providing instructional and research facilities in various branches,
to take appropriate measures for promotion of inter-disciplinary studies
and research in the University and also to pay special attention to the
improvement of the social and economic conditions and welfare of the
people of the State. The University has its jurisdiction
over the districts of Cachar, Karimganj, Karbi, Anglong and Hailakandi in
the State of Assam and has 53 affiliated colleges with 24
Departments under 8 Schools of studies and 3 Centres of studies.
Total number of teachers is 101 and students on the rolls, including those
in affiliated colleges, are 18,078.
For further details may contact: e.mailaddress:schregau101@sancharnet.in/auvcs@sancharnet.in.
Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi
Viswavidyalaya, Wardha.
Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya
was set up during the year 1997 by an Act of Parliament with its
headquarter at Wardha to promote and develop Hindi language and literature
in general. The University started functioning as a camp office in a
rented house at New Delhi. The University was shifted from its camp office
to its headquarter at Wardha in December, 2003.
The teaching activities of the University started
with two courses in the academic session 2002-03. Presently the University
is running five MA courses and two M.Phil courses. For further details may
contact e.mail address hindiunv@de12.vsnl.net.in
Babasaheb Bhimrao
Ambedkar University, Lucknow
Established as a State University in 1994 at Lucknow,
it was notified as a Central University on 10th January 1996.
It aims to provide instructional and research facilities in new and
frontier areas of learning. It has 5 Schools comprising 8
Departments viz. (1) School of Ambedkar Studies, (2) School of Biosciences
and Bio-technology, (3) School of Environmental Sciences, (4) School of
Information Science and Technology, (5) School of Legal Studies.
Total enrolment of students is 255, including 35 Ph.D. scholars, during
the year 2004-05 out of which 95 (i.e. 37.25 percent) belong to the SC/ST
category.
Mizoram University
The Mizoram University, with its headquaters at
Aizawl, was established as a teching and affiliating university with
effect from the 2nd July, 2001.
The academic activites of the University are
presently carried out through its sixteen teaching departments and one
constituent college. The total number of students enrolled in these
departments and the constituent college is 1,187 and the teaching and
non-teaching staff during the year 2004-2005 was 124 and 234 respectively.
Besides, the University has 28 affiliated colleges located in the State of
Mizoram. The number of students studying in these affiliated
colleges is 5,579.
Maulana Azad
National Urdu University, Hyderabad
The aim of Maulana Azad National Urdu University is
to promote and develop Urdu language and to impart vocational and
technical education in Urdu medium through conventional and distance
education system. The University was established in 1997 by an Act of
Parliament. Its Administrative head quarters has been set up at Hyderabad
and has five Regional Centres at Delhi, Patna, Bangalore, Bhopal and
Dharbhanga. The University has so far established 84 Study Centres spread
over in 14 States of the Country.
National
Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC)
is an autonomous institutions established by the University Grants
Commission in 1994 NAAC’s responsibility is to assess and accredit
institutions of higher education that volunteer for the process, based on
prescribed certain criteria. NAAC’s process of assessment and
accreditation involves the preparation of a self -study report by the
institution, its validation by the peers and final decision by the
Council. 122 universities and 2486 colleges/ institutions have been
accredited by NAAC so far. For further details may see NAAC
Website: www.naac-india.com
Fake
Universities/institutions
According to the University Grants Commission Act
1956, the right of conferring or granting degrees shall be exercised only
by a University established or incorporated by or under a Central Act, or
a State Act, or an Institution deemed to be University or an institution
specially empowered by an Act of the Parliament to confer or grant
degrees. Thus, any institution which has not been created by an enactment
of Parliament or a State Legislature or has not been granted the status of
a Deemed to be University, is not entitled to award a degree.
The Act also provides that no institution, other
than a University, established or incorporated by or under a Central Act,
or a State Act shall be entitled to have the word ‘University’ associated
with its name in any manner whatsoever. Under the Act, the contravention
of its provision are punishable with fine. Apart from the fine prescribed,
any attempt to cheat the public by offering unauthorized degrees by
ineligible institutions would also attract the appropriate provisions of
the criminal laws.
To curb the functioning of the Fake
Universities/Institutions and, to create awareness amongst the public and
the students alike, the UGC issues Press Releases, at the beginning of
each academic session, advising aspiring students not to pursue
higher education courses with such institutions. It is emphasized
that these fake institutions have no legal entity to call themselves as
University/Vishwvidyalaya and to award ‘degree’ which are not
treated as valid for academic/employment purposes. A list of fake
Universities/Institutions identified by University Grants Commission is as
under:-
Bihar
1 Maithili University/Vishwavidyalaya,
Darbhanga, Bihar.
Delhi
2 Varanaseya Sanskrit
Vishwavidyalaya, Varanasi (UP) Jagatpuri, Delhi.
3 Commercial University Ltd.
Daryaganj, Delhi.
4 United Nations University,
Delhi.
5 Vocational University, Delhi.
6 Delhi Vishwa Vidyapeeth, 233
Tagore Park, Model Town, Delhi – 110 009.
7 ADR-Centric Juridical
University, ADR House, 8J, Gopala Tower, 25
Rajendra Place, New Delhi 110 008
Karnataka
8
Badaganvi Sarkar World Open University Education Society, Gokak,
Belgaum (Karnataka)
9. Handwriting University India, No. 16 Church
Road, Basavangudi, Bangalore - 560 004.
Kerala
10. St. John’s University, Kishanttam, Kerala.
Madhya Pradesh
11 Kesarwani Vidyapeeth, Jabalpur (MP)
Maharashtra
12 Raja Arabic
University, Nagpur.
Tamil Nadu
13 D.D.B Sanskrit University, Putur, Trichi,
Tamil Nadu.
Uttar Pradesh
14 Mahila Gram Vidyapith/Vishwavidyalaya,
(Woman’s University) Prayag,
15 Indian Education Council of U.P. Lucknow
(UP)
16 Gandhi Hindi Vidyapith, Prayag, Allahabad
(UP)
17 National University of Electro Complex
Homeopathy, Kanpur.
18 Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose University
(Open University) Achaltal, Aligarh (UP)
19. Uttar Pradesh Vishwavidyalaya, Kosi Kalan,
Mathura (UP)
20. Maharana Partap Shiksha Niketan Vishwavidyalaya,
Pratapgarh (UP)
Open
University System
The
advances in information and communication technology provide great
opportunities to enhance teaching and learning in higher education by both
on-campus and distance education. Even disabled students who are denied
access to traditional institutions, and all those who require updating of
their knowledge and life-long education can now be benefited by the modern
facilities of communication. They also provide increased access to
information sources and facilitate communication among researchers and
teachers and the building of networks of institutions and scholars.
Through
the open universities and distance learning initiatives, mechanisms are in
place to upgrade skills at regular intervals and develop new competencies.
People's needs of lifelong learning are constantly expanding. Higher
education institutions are offering learning opportunities to satisfy
these diverse demands. Ready access and flexibility are the hallmarks of
these initiatives.
The Open
University System was initiated in the country to augment opportunities
for higher education as an instrument of democratising education and also
to make it a lifelong process. The first open university in the country
was established by the state government of Andhra Pradesh in 1982. In
1985, the central government established the Indira Gandhi National Open
University (IGNOU).
Indian
Gandhi National Open University
The IGNOU
designed, developed and delivered high quality academic programmes in the
Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences as well as in professional areas
like Computer Applications, Education, Engineering, Management, Nursing
and Tourism. The University has currently -101 programmes comprising
900 courses to offer. Most of the University’s programmes are structured
on modular pattern, leading to the award of certificates, diplomas and
degrees.
The
enrolment in the university has been rising rapidly. From less than 4,000
students in 1987, the enrolment rose to over 1,60,000 in 1998 and is
currently about 13,11,145 The University has a vastly heterogeneous
student body: demo-graphically diverse (age, gender, region, social
background, etc.); educationally dis-advantaged (most of them
without the traditional qualifications for entering into higher education
and who have had no other opportunities to make up for the lost time); and
economically weak (large majority belonging to low and lower middle income
groups). Most of these students are in the lower rungs of their career
looking for opportunities to improve their qualifications, professional
competence and/or in acquiring new skills.
The
University has demonstrated that modern communication technologies can be
effectively harnessed in providing access to educational opportunities and
that high technology need not necessarily be a high cost medium. The
University has, at its inception, set up Audio-Video production facilities
with the generous support provided by the Governments of UK and Japan.
These facilities were substantially augmented with a major grant given by
the Government of Japan. The current Electronic Media Production Centre is
a state-of-the-art technological facility that significantly enriches the
university’s learning packages. The media packages of the university are
transmitted on the nation-wide television network as well as through
selected radio stations. A dedicated, satellite-based teleconferencing
network is being developed on an experimental basis in cooperation with
the Indian Space Research Organisation for providing interactive teaching-
learning support to distance education programmes offered by open
universities in India.
EDUSAT
the first Indian satellite built exclusively for serving the educational
sector. is a collaborative project of Ministry of Human Resource
Development (MHRD), Indira Gandhi National Open University(IGNOU),
Department of Space Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). It is
mainly intended to meet the demand for an interactive satellite based
distance education system for the country. It strongly reflects India’s
commitment to use space technology for national development, especially
for the development of the population in remote and rural locations.
For the
delivery of various services to its students, the IGNOU has developed a
nation-wide network of 48 Regional Centres 6 Sub-Regional Centres and over
1,271 Study Centres, all over India.The Study Centres and Work Centres are
located generally with existing educational or training institutions who
have made their facilities and services available to the IGNOU students.
Distance Education Council (DEC)
The IGNOU
is also a national level apex body for distance education. Distance
Education Council has been established as a statutory authority under the
IGNOU Act. The DEC is responsible for promotion, coordination and
maintenance of standards of open and distance education system in the
country.
The apex
body role envisages the establishment and development of an Open
University Network by sharing the intellectual and physical resources
within the distance education system among different institutions and
enriching the system by extending its outreach, on the one hand, and
ensuring the quality standards of its programmes of education and
training, on the other. In discharging its responsibility, the Distance
Education Council also provides development funding to open universities
and distance education institutions from the funds placed at its disposal
by the Central Government. The DEC has been supporting all the State Open
Universities (SOUs) since eighth plan and Distance Education Institutions
(DEIs) of conventional universities since ninth plan.
Presently, there is one National Open University (IGNOU), eleven (SOUs)
and a number of DEIs in different states.
Open
University Network
The
Distance Education Council (DEC) has taken several initiatives to develop
the Open University Network. The programmes developed and produced by
IGNOU are extensively used by the State Open Universities in the country.
Efforts have also been made to evolve common standards for the products as
well as processes (programme structure, credits, examination, grading,
etc.) to facilitate student mobility across programmes as well as
institutions through systems of credit transfer. Steps have also been
initiated of credit transfer. Steps have also been initiated to frame
norms and standards for the design, development and delivery of programmes
in specific fields and to ensure their quality.
Cost
Effectiveness and Pertinence
The Open
University programmes have proved to be highly cost-effective. The current
indications are that their cost is much lower than the
cost normally incurred by the traditional system on comparable programmes.
The open universities arrive at lower costs through economies
of scale since a part of its fixed cost will get distributed over a larger
number of students.
The open
universities in the country have generally developed their programmes and
courses with a view to ensure that they are relevant to the economic and
employment needs. Most of their programmes are very different from those
offered by the traditional universities. They are designed and developed
in several modules to assist the potential students to choose such
modules. as they perceive, are relevant to their needs. On their part, the
universities have also sought to diversify their course provisions and
developed high quality multi-media open learning curriculum designed to
meet the academic, technical and vocational needs of diverse student
groups. A notable feature of these programmes especially those in the
technical, vocational and professional areas is the close linkages with
the industry and other employer groups, not only in designing and
preparing the learning packages, but also in the delivery of various
services to the students at the work place.
The open
university programmes offered by IGNOU have received international
attention and recognition.
Colleges : 16,885