Hyderabad: Conventional universities are lagging behind universities offering Distance Education in use of technology. According to Prof. Ravindra Kumar, vice-chancellor, IGNOU (Indira Gandhi National Open University), Open Universities have gone completely digital for most of their services like registration, admissions, fee payments and exam results, compared with universities offering conventional education.
“If a student pays college fees by way of a DD, it takes some time before the amount is re-flected on the candidate’s name. However, through electronic transfer of money, the formalities are completed in a few minutes. IGNOU has been doing this,” he said, while spe-aking on an Open Distance Learning (ODL) theme organised as part of the All India Vice-Chancellor’s Conference in the city. Study material is completely digitised (Swayam) and through Swayam Prabha we are offering tele-education services on five dedicated channels from the Doordarshan group, the professor said. For taking to digital technologies in a big way, institutions offering ODL (Open Distance Learning) should be called as Open Digital Learning (ODL) centres, IGNOU chief said.
The fact that 30 lakh fresh enrolments are seen in IGNOU every year is an indication of how ODL has been accepted as an alternative system of study by those who cannot go to college on daily basis, he said. and called upon lawmakers and stakeholders to give Open Learning its due.
Meanwhile, the B. R. Ambedkar Open University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. Seetharama Rao stated that there was no clarity in recognition of open varsity degrees either by UGC or the HRD ministry. Also, there are no proper regulations and accreditation policies for these institutions, he said.
