Distance no bar for education

MANGALORE: Apart from being a centre of education and attracting students from all over the country, Mangalore is gaining ground as the centre for distance education. Major universities in the country offering education under the distance education mode, are looking to Mangalore to set-up their study centres.
Besides, Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) and India Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), one can earn degrees from outside universities such as Annamalai University, Alagappa University, as well as universities in the state, which include Mangalore University, Kuvempu University, which have set up their study centres here.
Interestingly, all these study centres are admitting students in good number and the admission rate is increasing each year. The admission that was around 900 in 2006-07 at KSOU has seen an increase of 1,690 in 2007-08 and 2,270 in 2008-09. It is the case with Kuvempu University too. Last year 300 students enrolled for various courses and the number has increased by 50 this year. KSOU has students from all walks of life for its under diploma, graduate, and post-graduate courses. Enrolment has not come down even though KSOU has stopped offering courses under the open mode.
Kuvempu University study centre coordinator and SDM Law College principal B K Ravindra says most of the students are from the employed classes. Admissions have increased as the quality of education was on a par with regular colleges, he adds.
Moreover, the low fee structure and treating the correspondence degrees on a par with regular degrees in matters of appointments is said to be the reason for the high rate of admissions. Those who could not go in for higher education or afford college fees find distance education centres ideal.
Notice Board
The Xavier Industrial Training Centre at Assaigoli, Konaje, will introduce new courses in motor mechanic and consumer electronics from this academic year.
The golden jubilee celebration of School of Roshni Nilaya was inaugurated at a function held at the college campus here on May 31. A photo exhibition shedding light on the origin, history and growth of the college and their various activities was organised on the occasion.