Distance Education in India

Higher education is no more a distant dream for many, thanks to distance education

Distance education is fast becoming a choice mode of study in India. The reasons for this are varied. It is because students become goal-oriented and try to achieve more in less time. It is also a good option if students want to pursue education and gain work experience at the same time.

Karthik Nanda, who is studying MBA through distance mode and also working as a web designer in a company says, “Being the sole earner of my family, it was not possible for me to take up a regular course. I study while travelling back home in the metro and attend classes over the weekend. It is enough as knowledge matters to me and not where it is coming from.”

Mode of study
Distance learning courses offer education using different modes for providing the course material. In most cases, the printed material is sent either through post or through emails and the student takes exams at the end of the semester. Most of the time, classes are conducted during weekends and students have the choice to attend or not attend them. Virtual classrooms are yet another way of interaction. Students gather in a ‘classroom’ on a selected date and the teacher can lecture them through video conferencing. Internet technology has come as a boon for promoting distance education as teachers can chat/video chat with the students and the exchange of knowledge takes place.

Terminology
Distance learning courses are also called correspondence courses, open learning courses, etc. It should be kept in mind that the mode of study will be determined by the institute you choose and the course you enrol in.

IGNOU: The largest open university
With over 30 lakh students, Indira Gandhi National Open University has been declared the largest university by UNESCO. About 6.4 lakh students joined IGNOU in the year 2009-2010 alone.

Established in the year 1985 by an Act of Parliament, IGNOU has been recognised the world over for reversing convention and making higher education accessible to one and all. There is no bar on age and people can learn from any place they want to. The university has established centres across the country and classes are also conducted at the centres where students can have their queries resolved by expert teachers.
Although there are many other universities that provide distance education in India, IGNOU remains the premier choice as it keeps inventing new methods and programmes to constructively engage students in the process of learning.

Other popular open universities in India

1. Karnataka State Open University
2. Tamil Nadu Open University
3. UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University
4. Madhya Pradesh Bhoj Open University

Distance mode, regular universities
There are also many regular universities that provide education through distance mode. It is up to you to choose the course depending upon your goals and choices. The following is a list of universities that provide quality education in distance mode:

1. Delhi University
2. Sikkim Manipal University
3. Annamalai University

Approval
All distance learning courses are considered recognised if they have the approval of Distance Education Council, New Delhi.

Acceptance
More often than not, distance learning courses are recognised at par with regular courses. Government bodies will consider anyone educated in distance learning mode equal in qualification to someone who has been educated in a regular university. It is only a few private organisations that still harbour doubts about hiring people who receive their education through distance learning courses.

Distance education in India has now come of age and is gaining acceptance. Organisations understand the need of giving people a chance to realise their potential and use their time productively at the same time. Distance education is now seen as the way to go.