The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) on Wednesday urged the State government to stop the conventional universities in the State from offering distance education courses as Open Distance Learning (ODL) was its forte. If they were allowed to continue offering the ODL courses, the KSOU’s continued existence will be at risk, it observed.
Unlike conventional universities, KSOU does not get grants from the State government or the UGC. It’s a self-sustained institution of higher learning and its main source of revenue was admissions, according to the university.
“In a way, it’s a setback to the KSOU. Its survival will be in danger unless the government intervenes,” said Vice-Chancellor Vidyashankar S.
Addressing a press conference here, he said the University Grants Commission (UGC) has imposed many restrictions on the open universities, curtailing its freedom. “However, this is not the case with the conventional universities which are not bound by the guidelines issued in 2017 by the UGC,” he maintained.
The V-C said the conventional universities offering ODL courses were not restricted to their territories but were offering courses to students beyond their jurisdiction by taking NoCs from universities operating in that particular area.
“Unlike the KSOU, the conventional universities have more freedom. They can extend admission dates and come up with new courses as and when required. This is not the case with the KSOU,” he said, adding that the government should consider bringing suitable changes to the Karnataka State Universities’ Act, 2000, to end inconsistencies.
Mr. Vidyashankar argued that the target of achieving a 50% enrolment ratio in higher education from 25% by 2030 was unlikely if universities were bound by ‘unrealistic’ rules and lacked the freedom to function.
“I had plans to introduce 10 more courses, including those in new-age subjects like artificial intelligence but the UGC did not call for new courses this year. So we could not execute our plans,” he explained.
The V-C sought permission to introduce the Bachelor Preparatory Programme which will allow candidates above 18 years to take admissions to degree courses and those above 21 years to take admissions to PG courses. “This will to some extent improve admissions,” he felt.
Mr. Vidyashankar said the university needed ₹36 crore every year towards the payment of salaries and pensions. “How do we run the university if the number of admissions continues to fall despite our best efforts,” he asked.
Registrar Ramesh was present.
Open varsity V-Cs’ meet in Mysuru from tomorrow
The Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru ,is hosting the All India Open Universities’ Vice-Chancellors’ Conference here on September 6.
The VCs’ of 15 open universities are expected to attend and deliberate on the role of open universities in the 21st century. The conference gains significance at a time when the conventional universities have been given permission to offer open distance learning (ODL).
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Higher Education Ashwath Narayana C.N. will inaugurate the conference at the Convocation Bhavan at 11 a.m. Mysuru MP Pratap Simha will be the chief guest and UGC Joint Secretary Avichal Kapur will be the guest of honour.
Vice-Chancellor S. Vidyashankar will preside and N.S. Rame Gowda, former VC, KSOU, will be the conference chair.
The conference will include sessions on unhealthy competition and unfair practices from dual mode universities; open universities and territorial jurisdiction; State versus open universities and a brainstorming session.
