STUDY CENTRE OF UTTARAKHAND OPEN UNIVERSITY (UOU)
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT
The Study Centre established by HIFEED at Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Open University (UOU), represents a pioneering initiative aimed at extending educational opportunities to remote regions of Uttarakhand, India. Recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and the Distance Education Council (DEC), UOU, situated in Haldwani, Uttarakhand, serves as a reputable state university. HIFEED, the Himalayan Institute for Education and Development, operates the Study Centre, underscoring its commitment to promoting education and sustainable development in the Himalayan region.
The Study Centre offers a diverse array of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses across disciplines such as arts, science, commerce, education, and management. Its overarching objective is to provide accessible and flexible educational avenues to students residing in Uttarakhand’s remote and mountainous terrains, addressing the significant challenges they face in accessing higher education due to geographical and socio-economic constraints. Utilizing a blend of self-learning materials, online resources, and face-to-face interactions with faculty, the Study Centre ensures the delivery of quality education that is both affordable and accessible to all.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT
1. To extend educational opportunities to remote regions of Uttarakhand through the establishment of the Study Centre.
2. To address the challenges faced by students in accessing higher education due to geographical and socio-economic constraints.
3. To provide a diverse range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses across various disciplines.
4. To promote accessible and flexible education that is affordable and responsive to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds.
5. To empower individuals through quality education, fostering personal and professional development in the Himalayan region.
COMPONENTS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE PROJECT
1. Establishment of the Study Centre at Ranichauri, Tehri Garhwal, in collaboration with Uttarakhand Open University (UOU).
2. Offering undergraduate, postgraduate, diploma, and certificate courses in arts, science, commerce, education, and management.
3. Utilization of self-learning materials, online resources, and face-to-face interactions with faculty to deliver quality education.
4. Conducting workshops, seminars, and training sessions to enhance student learning and skill development.
5. Providing academic and administrative support to students, ensuring their success and progression in their chosen educational pathways.
6. Fostering a conducive learning environment that promotes independent learning and encourages the pursuit of academic and career goals.
TARGET AREA OF THE PROJECT
The project’s target area transcends geographical limitations, fostering inclusivity and accessibility to educational opportunities for youth from any location. Through the Study Centre, individuals can enroll regardless of their geographic constraints, ensuring that education is accessible to all.
TARGET GROUPS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROJECT
Youths pursuing education through distance learning are the main recipients of the project’s benefits. Engaging in the program grants them access to educational avenues that enrich their competencies and expertise, enabling them to strive towards their academic and professional aspirations.
FUNDING PARTNER OF THE PROJECT
The establishment of the study center in 2010 marked a pivotal collaboration with the Uttarakhand Open University (UOU). This partnership amplifies the Study Centre’s capacity to deliver educational programs and services, serving as a catalyst for the holistic development of its students.
SANCTIONED BUDGET OF THE PROJECT
The Study Centre was operated in self-financed mode, while the Uttarakhand Open University provided a sum of Rs. 55,087.00 to HIFEED as an incentive from the fee collected. The program was concluded by HIFEED in May 2016. The program’s financial details for the period from 2010-11 to 2015-16 are as follows:
|
Name of Program/ Course |
Duration | No. of Students Enrolled |
Total Fee Paid to UOU (Amount in Rupees) |
Amount Received from UOU against Fee Deposited (Amount in Rupees) |
||
| Male | Female | Total | ||||
| M.S.W. | 02 Years | 12 | 06 | 18 | 4,77,000.00 | 55,087.00 |
| M.A. Public Administration | 02 Years | 01 | – | 01 | ||
| M.A. Education | 02 Years | 06 | 02 | 08 | ||
| M.A. English | 02 Years | 01 | – | 01 | ||
| P.G. Diploma in Disaster Management | 01 Year | 02 | 02 | 04 | ||
| M.Com. | 02 Years | 01 | 01 | |||
| M.A. Sociology | 02 Years | 01 | 01 | |||
| M.A. History | 02 Years | 01 | – | 01 | ||
| B.A. | 03 Years | 02 | – | 02 | ||
| Total | 26 | 11 | 37 | |||
OUTCOMES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE PROJECT
The successful operation of the study center of Uttarakhand Open University (UOU) has resulted in the following outcomes and accomplishments:
1. Open Distance and Learning (ODL) institutions are now providing education not only as an alternative to the formal system but also in areas such as vocational and technical education, as well as high technology-based education.
2. The study center plays a vital role in the Open University education concept, and the reliability of education depends on the integrated functioning of the study center and the workplace, providing feedback to the University.
3. The program’s objective is to promote education through open and distance learning systems, with the introduction of flexible and innovative methods of education to ensure ‘independent learning’ for anyone, anytime, and anywhere.
4. The program also aims to provide an opportunity for women in Uttarakhand who have been left out of the educational efforts of the nation.
