University of Mysore to extend its courses through distance education to overcome funds crunch

Updated on: Thursday, March 28, 2013

There is some good news for the students far and across who want to get degrees from the University of Mysore.

One of the oldest universities in India having a brand value is extending its courses through distance education which it had discontinued after Karnataka State Open University was carved out of it. It will help students to get degrees from the varsity that is 97 years old while it will be a windfall of resources for the university that is hardpressed to get funds.

Though there is huge demand for the courses offered by the UoM from both within and outside India, it was discontinued after the KSOU was set up in 1996. The argument was that the distance education is the domain of the newly set-up varsity. The government too has towed the line pushing the UoM towards resource crunch.

Now, it is readying to extend its courses through distance mode, which will get in students in hordes and money is crores. The varsity explained its plan of action on Wednesday as it submitted its budget for 2013-14. It said it is looking at distance education as one of the sources to generate resources internally. Finance officer M Chandra Kumar, who presented the budget at the special meeting of the Academic Council, said process is on to frame rules to relaunch distance education.

The varsity has reasons to generate resources internally: As against Rs 135 crore grant sought, the state government awarded it Rs 69 crore block grant. After some effort, it approved another Rs 24.81 crore. For 2013-14, the varsity is seeking Rs 151 crore towards non-plan expenditure, which mainly is salary and pension component. The government has okayed Rs 105 crore. There is a deficit of Rs 33.17 crore.

Ahead of centenary celebrations, the varsity is drawing up plans to celebrate it on a grand scale. It has allocated Rs 2 crore for the centenary celebrations of the varsity, which will celebrate its 100th years in June 1916. The fund is allocated for the preparations for the centenary. This comes amidst the effort to get the oldest varsity in Karnataka 'Innovative University' tag which will help it net additional funds. The proposal is sent to the UGC. The varsity is trying for the status after the Centre awarded it 'Institution of Excellence' that fetched Rs 100 crore special grants and Rs 50 crore for the University with Potential Excellence awarded by the UGC. The varsity is proposing to set up an International Centre for Chemical Biology and Drug Research which, it stated, will cost Rs 40 crore. It has set aside Rs 2 crore as seed grant and said it will look for resources from different sources including reputed institutions and the industry.

University of Mysore to extend its courses through distance education to overcome funds crunch

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