UoM to go ahead with distance education

S Ramesh & Shrinivasa M
Mysuru: Days after the state government decided against promoting distance education by conventional universities, University of Mysore (UoM) decided to take a different route to earn revenue.
The varsity has decided to extend online classes. A decision to this effect was taken at the UoM academic council meet held recently at Vignan Bhavan in Manasagangothri.
The UoM academic council chaired by vice-chancellor Professor G Hemantha Kumar has decided to explain its stance to the government as the varsity has all necessary approvals from the University Grants Commission (UGC) to extend distance education.
Presently, the University of Mysore, Karnatak University, Dharwad University, Mangalore University, Kuvempu University in Shivamogga and Bangalore University are offering distance education with UGC approval.
Kuvempu University has already raised its objection against the government’s move to make KSOU the sole university in the state to offer distance education.
“As the state government has not yet issued any clear-cut order in this regard, UoM will continue to offer distance education to students enrolled already,” the VC said.
The varsity has also decided to wait for the Union government’s directive on conducting exams for degree and PG students. “Exams will be conducted by adhering to the health protocol issued by the government. Revision classes of about 15 days will be conducted for students prior to the exams,” he added.
The council has also decided to restart online programmes following approval from UGC for the same. UoM had launched over 10 online courses, including B Com, B Sc, BBA, BCA, M Com, MSc, MBA, diploma and post-graduate diploma in management courses, but it was stopped due to some objections.
However, as UoM ranked better at university level, it was allowed to start online courses by UGC. The varsity also plans to offer PG Diploma and certificate courses in Yoga.
State gives KSOU the edge
In a big boost to KSOU, the state government issued a gazette notification barring all regular state universities from offering Open and Distance Learning Education (ODL) courses.
According to the gazette notification issued on June 20, only KSOU can offer programmes in open and distance learning mode within and outside the university area.
All state universities are offering distance education courses by taking a non- objection certificate (NoC) from the local university.
S Vidyashankar, vice-chancellor of KSOU welcomed the state government move. “We are ready to merge ODL students of other state universities. We have announced that KSOU will open its study centers in all state universities,” he said.