Thiruvananthapuram: With the UGC imposing strict restrictions on open and distance learning (ODL), Kerala State Higher Education Council (KSHEC) has recommended the government to start an open university with its headquarters here.
Apart from Thiruvananthapuram, it should have centres at Kochi, Kozhikode, Kottayam and Kannur, the report by a committee headed by educationalist Fathimath Zuhara suggested. It should follow the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) pattern.
The reason for the State to think of it is the University Grants Commission’s decision allowing only higher education institutions having a valid NAAC accreditation of A+ grade, with a minimum CGPA of 3.26 on a 4-point scale, to run ODL programmes in future. At present, only four universities have distance education courses in the state.
NAAC grades of these universities are Kerala University, Mahatma Gan-dhi and Calicut University A grade with CGPA-3.01-3.25 respectively, and Kannur University B grade with CGPA-2.01-2.50.
However, the new clause is not applicable to open universities until they become eligible for NAAC accreditation.
It will be mandatory for open universities to seek NAAC rating within one year. The new decision of the UGC will not affect students who have already enrolled.
However, it would mean that no university in the state can make fresh admissions to the distance education centres from the next academic year.
It will also mean that only 60 universities have sanction to impart education in the distance learning mode from the next academic year.
The ranking is valid for five years, and these institutions graded during 2015-17 will be able to apply for re-accreditation only after its expiry.
