“People are not aware of open universities. They often take these universities as inferior to the regular universities. They do not know the importance of these open universities. The main reason for this attitude of the people is lack of awareness among them,” opined Karnataka Theological College (Mangalore) Principal Dr J S Sadananda.

Addressing the Karnataka State Open University educational workshop on Sunday at Karnataka Theological College at Balmatta, he said that information dissemination and information about open university is a must.

“Open universities are in way competing with the regular universities. In fact, they are complementing the traditional universities,” Dr Sadananda said.

Karnataka State Open University Mysore Vice-Chancellor Prof B A Vivek Rai said that open universities emphasis on learning and human resources.

“In the past two months, KSOU witnessed a huge increase in the number of study centres and the quality of facilities. The university will start a regional office in Mangalore on its own land, which will certainly help the students from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu districts to pursue their studies,” Prof Rai added.

He said that Open Distant Learning Scheme is providing student centric self study material, which is of great help to those students who are already employed somewhere.

KSOU Dean (Academics) K T Shivanna said that KSOU syllabus is being telecast on FM radio in certain places across the State and all efforts have been made to telecast the same in Mangalore too.

He said that the university has over 100 study centres and about 33 study centres will be opened further. Dean (Study Centre) Nirmala C Prakash and others were present.