Joint Director,
Student Support Services,
Dr B.R Ambedkar Open University (Dr.BRAOU)

“Distance Education System has revolutionized the entire mode of education”. It is a Qualitative change in the realm of education. It is a shift from Institutionalized and Teacher Centered education to the Informal and Learner Centric education system.

Says Dr Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit, Joint Director, Student Support Services, Dr B.R Ambedkar Open University (Dr.BRAOU). Dr.BRAOU, the First Open University to be established in the country. As an expert in Distance Education since two decades Dr. Pandit had undertaken several key posts such as Controller of Examinations, Officer Incharge, 'Women's Development and Extension Centre’ and Liason Officer in the University.

Khojhyd makes an exclusive interview with Dr.Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit.

How do you explain the relevance of Distance Education in the present day world or changing world scenario?

Distance Education has a great relevance and scope in the present day education system. Infact it had laid a unique foundation to the system of the future. There is a major shift from Institutionalized and Teacher centered education to the Informal and Learner Centric education system.Traditionalism has barred certain sections to pursue their higher education. Distance education through Open University system facilitates educational avenues to all the disadvantageous sections of the population.

What are the unique features of Distance learning?

Distance education provides opportunities of higher education to all sections of society to meet the changing Individual and Social needs. It emphasizes on the ever learning process of the education.

How does the Distance Education (through Open University System) differ
from Correspondence Education?

Distance Education through Open University System qualitatively differs from Correspondence Education by providing scope for the interaction between the Teacher and the Taught wherein the student derives psychological satisfaction. The other means of communication like Audio-Visual are being utilized effectively to reach the students besides the printed Study Material.

How does the university operate?

The university operates through the following organizational Structure

1) 140 Study centres
2) 24 Regional Coordinating Centres (RCC)The RCC’s aim to avoid the drop out rate especially from the rural areas,and also see that the communication gap donot occur between the student and the university.
3) Prison Centres: To educate the prisoners and imbibe values in them.
i) Chenchal Guda Central Prison
ii) Rajamundry Central Prison
iii) Warangal Central Prison
4) 8 Exclusive women centers

How are the students admitted into the University for Under Graduate
Courses?

1) The University is providing access to non-formal stream by Admission into Under Graduate courses through Eligibility test. To be specific a student without any basic qualification will be admitted into the first year of the U.G courses after qualifying in the eligibility test conducted by the university. However, the minimum requirement is that the candidate has to complete 18 years of age.
2) To the formal stream by not disturbing them from their routine jobs & professions. Direct Admission: Pass in + 2 Examination
3) The students who distanced from their education due to several reasons by giving direct admission into 1, II and III year without wasting their academic year. For the students from other universities in Andhra Pradesh or other states in the country..

What are the Services rendered to the students?

The Student support services branch has been specially formed to cater to all the needs of the students. Academic, Advisory and Technical assistance is provided.

1) Study Material prepared by specialists in specified subjects
2) Study centres through counselling
3) Audio- visual equipment , AIR , Doordarshan
4) Tele-conferencing
5) Radio-Phone-in Conferencing.

Besides these services certain special services are recently added for the maximum benefit of the student. Every Sunday from 2 to 3 P.M Tele-conferencing in DD 8 on specific issues which are well in advance informed to the student.

What is the purpose behind Single Subject Admissions?

Single Subject Admissions are structured to cater the Need-Based prominence of the student. Though this facility has been provided long back it is in the very recent times it had attained prominence.
a) Minimum qualification is Graduation in any discipline.
b) As per this Scheme, the student can choose any one subject of his own interest out of the 18 optional subjects allotted by the university.
c) The duration of the course is one year with 4 papers.
d) The student has to take an examination along with the second and final yr. U.G students.
e) A pass certificate will be issued after the candidate clears his four papers.

This year we had maximum demand for the subjects like English literature as many students opted for it.

What are the new projects taken up by the university?

Recently we had signed MoU with:

1) NIIT for Computer Applications Course
2) SETWIN for short term courses especially for the benefit of women students in the courses like Beautification, Hotel Management, M.S Office, Fashion Designing and Pre-Primary Teaching certificate course.
3) ICRISAT and Reddy Labs to offer better educational opportunities to the students.

What is the future of Distance education System?

I can proudly claim that our University is the first Centre of Distance learning that has been established in 1982. Right now there are 10 state open universities and 40 other distance learning centres in various universities operating in India.

Developing countries has a great demand for higher education with limited resources. So the best answer is that of Distance Education, that gives Life long education. No geographical, social and economic bias while providing access towards education.

What is your answer to the general apprehension regarding the Validity of
the Open University degrees?

Let me explain to the entire public that there should not be any apprehensions. When it comes Our University, the degrees awarded are recognized on par with the other universities as Dr. BR Ambedkar University is:
1) Formed out of an Act of Government of Andhra Pradesh
2) Recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC)
3) Member of All India Universities Association (AIU)

Don’t you think that increasing Universities may further enhance the unemployment problem?

The aim of the distance education is to universalize education and provide access to all those who are interested in pursuing their studies. Create a learner’s society wherein an individual will have education at his own pace and convenience. Not just job orientation, but to create a healthy society wherein each and every individual can understand the needs of the society and become an active partner in the development process of the Nation through this Informal and Learner Centric education system.

-- Jhansi Paladugu