JOIN USVikhyath Bheemesh (21), who completed his PUC from St Joseph’s College, Bangalore in 2006, decided to enroll for the Bachelor of Business Administration programme from National Institute of Management, Bangalore affiliated to the UCAS. Working in shifts was taxing but he made a conscious effort to set aside time to study. Today, he has a BBA degree and earns a handsome salary. “The BBA degree set me on the path to entrepreneurship,” he says. Vikhyath has recently set up a Finance & Data Entry company.
Distance education is ideal for those like Vikhyath who do not have the time or the resources for a full time course.
Learn while you earn
“Distance education is the best option for working professionals who cannot quit their jobs to study. Even stay-at-home moms can pursue their academic interest this way,” says career counsellor Riddhi Sanghvi.
"There is a surge of interest in admissions for online and other correspondence courses because this is a more cost effective way of studying,” she adds.
Often, the courses available through distance learning programmes like Disability Management and Life Skills Education are not available as part of the full-time education curriculum.
Long-term gain
Rishabh Jain (23), who is currently pursuing his Master of Business Management in Sports Management from Deakin University, Australia, says, “A short course in the field of your interest forms a solid foundation when you study further. A diploma in Sports Management through Kuvempu University’s distance learning programme in India put me on par with other international students in my present university.”
While some universities like Bangalore University have revamped their syllabi by offering courses in foreign languages, others are offering exciting courses for study and research in fields like the Performing Arts and Disability Management.
Here’s a look at some distance education universities in Karnataka and what they have to offer:
Karnataka State Open University, Mysore
Recognised by the University of Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi, KSOU is also a member of the Association of Indian Universities, Association of Commonwealth Universities, Asian Association of Open Universities, China and Commonwealth of Learning (COL). The university offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, diplomas and PG diplomas through its distance learning programmes.
Undergraduate Programmes
BA and BCom on completion of PUC
Duration: 3-6 years
Fee: Rs. 10,000 (approx) for the entire course
BEd after BA/BSc or MA/MSc from a recognised university
Duration: 2 years
Fee: Approx Rs 22,000
BLISc
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Approx Rs 5,000
Diploma Courses
Kannada, Journalism, Functional English, Statistical Process Control & Operations Research, Information Technology, Rural Development, Nutrition and Health Education, Management, Disability Management and Life Skills Education.
Fee: Ranges from Rs 1,200 to Rs 5,200 for the entire course.
PG Courses
MA in Kannada, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration, Sociology, Psychology and Mass Communication
MCom
Fee: Approx Rs 9,000
MEd
Fee: Approx Rs 14,000
MBA
Fee: Approx Rs 28,000
Duration: 2 years
MLISc
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Approx Rs 7,800
PG Diploma
English, Marketing Management, Business Administration, Financial Management, Human Resource Management, Mass Communication & Journalism, and Nutrition & Dietetics.
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Rs. 2,450 to Rs 5,450.
Bangalore University
The Directorate of Correspondence Courses and Distance Education offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, diplomas as well as certificate courses in a range of subjects.
Undergraduate Programmes
BA (14 combinations)
Duration: 3 years
PG Courses
MA in English, French, Sanskrit, Economics and History
Duration: 2 years
According to the authorities, the fee structure for the current year has not been ascertained as yet. However, one could procure a copy of the prospectus in August-September 2009 for information of the same.
Kuvempu University, Directorate of Distance Education, Shimoga
Undergraduate Programmes
BA (14 combinations) and B.Com on completion of PUC
Fees: Approx Rs.11, 650 (for three years)
BBM
Fee: Approx Rs 12,750
BSc (PMC & CBZ)
Fee: Rs 16,400 (for three years)
Duration: 3 years
BLISc
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Approx Rs 6,200.
Diploma in Panchayat Raj
Fee: Rs 4,700
PG Courses
MA in Kannada, English, Hindi, Sanskrit, Urdu, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, History & Archaeology
MCom
Fee: Approx Rs 9,250
MSc in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Botany, Zoology, Environmental Science, Biotechnology, Applied Chemistry
Fee: Approx between
Rs 11,650 and Rs 28,000
LLM
Business Law
Fee: Approx Rs 11,000
MBA
Fee: Rs 30,000
Duration: 2 years
MLISc
Duration: 1 year
Fee: Approx Rs 7,850
More on distance education courses offered by universities in Karnataka in the next issue