What will happen to the fate of lakhs of students pursuing courses in KSOU and also those who have got jobs based on the degrees secured after 2012-13? Is the only open university in Karnataka staring at an uncertain future following the UGC’s move to withdraw recognition?
Sources in the KSOU said about 2 to 2.5 lakh students were presently pursuing courses and lakhs of students had secured degrees in the last three years. Though Vice-Chancellor M.G. Krishnan has urged students to keep calm and describing the development as “transitory”, the decision is certainly a worrying factor for students.
Over the years, the students’ numbers had swollen phenomenally, encouraging the university to expand its small campus into a large one, adding new buildings and facilities and naming the campus as Muktagangotri. Sources said the State government has to take up the matter with the MHRD since the KSOU operated outside its territory based on powers vested on it under the Karnataka State Open University Act, and remove inconsistencies in relation with the UGC guidelines.
Lakhs of students have secured degrees in the last three years
