About Karnataka State Open University (KSOU):

We are providing all the programs from Karnataka State Open University, Mysore. Karnataka State Open University plays a significant role in promoting the desired growth of higher education through Open-distance learning system (ODL).

Our country will be a super power only when it achieves the targeted growth of higher education, which is possible by the intervention of open and distance learning. The University having a strong genesis of the Institute of Correspondence Course and Continuing Education (ICC&CE), a pioneer in the Asian continent, was established in 1996 under the state enactment – KSOU Act 1992. As lucidly inscribed in its motto “Higher Education to Everyone Everywhere,” KSOU is evolving the strategies to reach the door-steps of the students not only in the state of Karnataka but also in the country and abroad. For this purpose, KSOU has established regional centers, even in abroad. During 2009-2010 the student enrollment in the University has crossed 1.00 lakh. During 2010-2011 the University is expected to enroll over 2.00 lakh students which are possible through its state-of-art infrastructure, committed staff, and managerial skills. KSOU’s community of learners includes Academicians, Administrators, Executives, Officers of Central and State Governments, Politicians, Legal Experts, Artists, Farmers, Writers, Media Persons, Technicians, and others whose age group ranges from 18 to 80 years. The University encourages the students of Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes by way of Fee Reimbursement under SC/ST government scholarships. It also encourages the students of economically weaker sections under “Muktha Sanjivini”. Prasaaraanga is playing a significant role in promoting the field of literature through the publications of great works of renowned persons.

History:
Educate Anytime...Anywhere... :

Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) was established on 1st June 1996 with the assent of H.E. Governor of Karnataka as a fully fledged University in the academic year 1996 vides Government notification No/EDI/UOV/dated 12th February 1996 (Karnataka State Open University Act – 1992). The act was promulgated with the object to incorporate an Open University at the State level for the introduction and promotion of Open University and Distance Education systems in the education pattern of the State and the country for the Co-ordination and determination of standard of such systems. Keeping in view the educational needs of our country, in general, and state in particular the policies and programmes have been geared to cater to the needy.

Karnataka State Open University is a recognized University of Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi, regular member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), Delhi, permanent member of Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), London, UK, Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), Beijing, China, and also has association with Commonwealth of Learning (COL).

Karnataka State Open University is situated at the North–Western end of the Manasagangotri campus, Mysore. The campus, which is about 5 kms, from the city centre, has a serene atmosphere ideally suited for academic pursuits. The University houses at present the Administrative Office, Academic Block, Lecture Halls, a well-equipped Library, Guest House Cottages, a Moderate Canteen, Girls Hostel and a few cottages providing limited accommodation to students coming to Mysore for attending the Contact Programmes or Term-end examinations.

Vision:

The Karnataka State Open University will stimulate both the hearts and minds of scholars, empower them to contribute to the welfare of the society at large; train them to adapt themselves to the changing needs of the economy; educate them for cultural leadership to ensure peace, harmony and prosperity for all.

Mission:

The Karnataka State Open University shall strive hard to provide a market oriented professional education to the student community of the India in general and of Delhi in particular, with a view to serving the cause of higher education as well as to meet the needs of the Indian industries by promoting affiliations to study centers to make them as centers of excellence in emerging areas of education with focus on professional education in disciplines of engineering, technology, management, medicine, education, pharmacy, nursing, law etc..

Objective:
The Karnataka State Open University came into being to achieve the following objectives: :

• Democratizing Higher Education by taking it to the doorsteps of the learners.
• Providing access to high quality education to all those who seek it, irrespective of age, region or formal qualifications.
• Offering need – based academic Programmes by giving professional and vocational orientation to the programme.
• Promoting and developing distance education in India.
• Relaxed entry regulations.
• Providing opportunities to study according to one’s own pace and convenience.
• Flexibility in choosing the combination of courses from a wide range of disciplines.

Values :

The University System is guided in fulfilling its mission by these shared principles and core values.

Learning: The Karnataka State Open University will stimulate both the hearts and minds of scholars, empower them to contribute to the welfare of the society at large; train them to adapt themselves to the changing needs of the economy; educate them for cultural leadership to ensure peace, harmony and prosperity for all.

Quality: The University System holds a strong commitment to high standards in all aspects of its educational activities, learning outcomes, and support services. It seeks to continuously strengthen the overall effectiveness of its operations.

Integrity: The University System conducts its operations and makes its public representations in an ethical manner. It assesses its operations in an open and collaborative manner and practices fairness, honesty, and objectivity in dealing with its constituencies.

Diversity: The University System embraces and promotes diversity in its policies and practices to prepare its learners to live and work successfully in an increasingly diverse society. It strives to create diverse learning environments by welcoming teachers, learners, and staff that bring diverse ideas, values, backgrounds, and beliefs to the learning and work environment.

Freedom of Inquiry and Expression: The University System supports the rights of its constituents to freely inquire and express their opinions. It engages and encourages an open exchange of ideas and seeks input from all who wish to participate in its learning programs.

Access to Underserved: The University System seeks to broaden access to its higher education programs by underserved communities who wish to engage the organization in their learning goals.

Adaptive and Responsive: The University System anticipates and adapts to its changing environment and responds to the needs of the organization and its constituencies in manners both appropriate and timely.

Innovation: The University System seeks imaginative and effective solutions to its challenges and innovative ways to fulfill its mission.

Collaboration: TThe University System seeks and nurtures partnerships with its constituents and the communities it serves in creating effective learning environments for its learners.

Special Features:

The Open-Distance-Learning (ODL) system is a unique and challenging mode of education offered at the University level. This system provides ample opportunities for those who desire to have University education at their place of work or residence. This method is popularly known as Distance Education. It is perhaps the only way to meet the ever-increasing demand for Higher Education especially in a developing country like India. Distance Education programmes are specially designed for:

• Candidates who discontinue their formal education owing to pecuniary or other circumstances
• Candidates residing in geographically remote areas
• Candidates who cannot get admission to a regular college / Post-graduate department
• Employed persons who cannot pursue their study as full-time candidates
• Individuals who wish to pursue learning for knowledge sake
• Candidates who wish to update knowledge and skills

The Open-Distance-Learning (ODL) system is perhaps the only system that has been planned in such a way that it is able to cater to all those who desire to seek Higher Education in spite of the fact that they are in a disadvantageous position due to social, economic, spatial and such other reasons. Also to cater to the increasing demand for Higher Education, flexibilities in terms of age, qualification, location, time, etc., have been introduced to the maximum extent.

Vice Chancellor Message
Dear Student,
Greeting from Karnataka State Open University!!!

I welcome you to the family of students in Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), which was established in the year 1996 for the promotion of Education among all sections of society. Without the constraints of space and time, Karnataka State Open University has established its quality and has reached the remote parts of Karnataka and beyond. As inscribed in its motto “Higher Education to All, Everywhere” the university has set itself an objective to reach the doorsteps of aspiring students in every nook and corner of not only the state, but throughout the country and abroad. Karnataka State Open University has also programs of IGNOU, to cater to the needs of students in various fields. Accessibility, quality, flexibility and relevance are the major strengths of KSOU, whereas creation, management and dissemination of knowledge are its main goals. Flexible mode of teaching represents a major element of our programs. In order to achieve these goals, we have established 7 Regional Centers at Bangalore, Davanagere, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Mangalore, Shimoga and Delhi. 110UG Study Centers, 10B.Ed Study Centers, 08 Special B.Ed. Study Centers, 08 M.Ed. Study Centers and 403 Partner Institution Study Centers. Contact Programs are conducted regularly with the involvement of experienced staff and expertise in the concerned fields is tapped for the benefit of the students, periodically. We are proud to announce the last year the enrolment was 1, 00,000.

KSOU aims to be India’s most progressive university. We strive to produce highly employable graduates of highest possible quality in areas of strategic importance. Since we possess rich heritage knowledge and are reaching our boundaries of global knowledge, local knowledge and global information should join together and technology should be the tool as well as the means for this kind of exploration. As a student of KSOU, you can study at your place with the best self study materials and efficient media support. In both its teaching and research the University has forged strong links with the government, with business, industry and professions.

On behalf of the university, I invite your participation, in realizing a dream of making this Nation, a knowledge intensive society. I wish you all the best in your pursuit of excellence in higher education!!!

With best wishes for your career,
Sincerely Yours,
Prof.K.S.Rangappa
Vice-Chancellor