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Time of India
02-08-2025
- General
- Time of India
Minority outreach: KSOU to provide free education to 3k students
Mysuru: About 3,000 students from minority communities are now eligible to receive free education at Karnataka State Open University (KSOU). The state govt has set aside Rs 5 crore for the scheme run by the minority affairs department. Professor Sharanappa V Halse, the vice-chancellor of KSOU, told reporters on Friday under this new initiative, students from the Christian, Jain, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, and Parsi communities are eligible for free education. These students are free to join any undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma course. The total outlay for the scheme is expected to go up to Rs 10 crore next fiscal year, Halse said. In response to a query on gross enrolment ratio at KSOU, the VC said the number has been on the rise. Earlier, open and distance learning education was provided based on age criteria, but courses are now being offered to all those who have cleared pre-university education. Halse said about 36,000 students took admission in 2021, 44,000 in 2022, 61,000 in 2023, and 76,000 in 2024. In the current year, around 77,000 have enrolled for various courses. KSOU has set up regional centres across Karnataka to further increase intake. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels Techno Mag Learn More Undo So far, Yadgir, Vijayapura, and Udupi districts have responded positively by providing the required land for setting up facilities. KSOU currently has 38 regional centres and 130 study centres. Halse said the KSOU has been providing free education to visually challenged students and those orphaned during the Covid pandemic. In the 2023-24 academic year, about 79 students, including 71 visually challenged, took admission. In the current academic year, about 43 candidates orphaned during the pandemic, and 65 visually challenged students have enrolled for various UG/PG and certificate/diploma courses. New courses Currently, KSOU is offering 79 different courses. From this academic year, the varsity is offering a course in Jyotish Shastra (Vedic astrology), enrolment for which is already on, the VC said. Meanwhile, KSOU, in association with the National Skill Development Corporation, will offer industry-mandated courses in artificial intelligence and machine learning, data analytics, AR/VR/Meta, cloud computing, cybersecurity, Internet of Things, industrial/home automation, robotic process automation, and semiconductor design. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
24-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
KSOU halted contact classes, withheld study materials: Students
Mysuru: Students of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) have claimed that the varsity has stopped conducting contact classes and issuing study materials. Instead, students are asked to read the e-content sent to them. Students say it fails to serve the purpose of the distance education system. According to university insiders, earlier, contact classes were conducted for candidates registered for undergraduate courses on weekends, while contact classes were conducted for postgraduate students in major cities like Mysuru, Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Kalaburugi, etc. The candidates were provided with high-quality study materials. However, no such classes are being conducted, nor are study materials provided, causing problems for the students. "During the admission counselling, I was informed that there would be online classes and contact classes in the major cities once a year. But for the last two years, no such classes were conducted. Only notes are shared via social media channels. It serves no purpose," explained an MA student who didn't want to be named. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Sources in the university confirmed that for the last two to three years, contact classes are not organised systematically. They alleged that even though online classes are assured, candidates are kept in the dark about that as well. "Contact classes were conducted on a weekly basis for the UG students, while it was once a year for PG students. The faculties concerned were taking classes in different cities. It was part of the distance education system. Now we are also receiving a lot of complaints over the non-holding of contact classes. But we are also helpless," they informed. Despite repeated attempts, VC Sharanappa V Halse and registrar Naveen Kumar SK were not available for comments.
