By our Staff Reporter
GUWAHATI, July 5: Krish Kanta Handiqui State Open University (KKHOU), established by the Government of Assam with the motto ‘Education Beyond Barriers’ is going to complete ten years of its service in the field of education on December 11, 2016.
Talking to newsmen in city today, KKHOU vice chancellor Hitesh Deka said in presence of Registrar Rajat Baran Mahanta that during the past decade, the university spread higher education transcending the barriers which the traditiol system of higher education cannot, and without compromising the quality of education. This is the reason why, they said, the degree awarded by any UGC-recognized State Open University is on a par with that of any other UGC-recognized conventiol university. UGC, MHRD, and the State Government have already issued notifications in that effect, he said.
According to Deka and Mahanta, with logistic support from the State Government and Distance Education Council and academic support from Indira Gandhi tiol Open University (IGNOU), KKHOU launched its first academic programme in 2008 for just 3,490 learners enrolled through 79 accredited study centres in the state. “Today this university runs 67 academic programmes for over 1,20,00 learners enrolled through its 351 accredited study centres spread across the state. Some new academic programmes are being launched in the current academic year,” the vice chancellor and the registrar of the university said, and added: “Out of the 67 academic programmes, 12 are of Masters, seven of PG Diploma, 14 Bachelors, ten Diploma and 23 certificate programmes, besides a two-year Bachelor Preparatory Programme (BPP). There are six ICT-ebled PG programmes on offer where interacting sessions are held online. Bachelors programmes include BA (Pass), BA (Major), B Com, BBA, BMC and BCA. Though there is no cut-off mark and limitation of seats for admission to these programmes, the maximum number that can be admitted depends on the availability of infrastructure of a study centre.”
According to the duo, most of the study centres are degree colleges affiliated to the universities of the State. “Some few junior colleges and institutions in the private sector have also been accredited as study centres either for non-availability of degree colleges nearby or for offering specific professiol programmes. All study centres of the university mandatorily hold persol contact programmes (PCP5) or, counseling classes on Sundays,” Deka and Mahanta said.
According to the VC, in addition to books, learners of some of the programmes are provided with study materials in audio and audio-visual format. The study materials of the University are also available in the university website — www.kkhsou.in link e-bidya.