The
Yashwantrao Chavan
Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU)
Introduction
The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra
Open University (YCMOU) was established by the Maharashtra State Legislative
Act No XX of 1989; assented to by the Governor of the State on the 29th
April 1989. The major objectives of the University are as follows :-
- To make higher vocational
and technical education available to large sections of the population.
- To give special attention
to the needs of the disadvantaged groups like people in rural areas
and the women.
- To relate all courses
to developmental needs of individuals, institutions and the State.
- To provide an innovative,
flexible and open system of education by using distance teaching methodology
and by applying modern communication technologies to education.
- To provide continuing
adult and extension education to retraining adults in new skills to
enable them to adjust to a changing technological environment.
- To provide post-graduate
studies and research opportunities especially in educational technology,
distance education and development communication.
The goal of the University is
to become a "Mass Varsity" or the "Lok
Vidyapeeth". Most of its programmes are offered in the regional
language (Marathi). The programmes lay a major emphasis on vocational/technical
and research level courses. The structure, functioning and philosophy of
the University is different from conventional universities. It has relaxed
entry rules, flexibility in course combination, flexibility in choosing
the place and pace of the study ,provision of individualized study etc.
Their basic endeavour is to extend the Universitys outreach so as to carry
knowledge to the doorsteps of every aspirant. The open university ploughs
innovative path by supporting print material with audio-visual supplements
and thereby making the message more effective and enduring as it reaches
the deprived and disadvantaged.
Educational Programmes
Educational programmes of
the University are broadly classified as
- General programmes
- Professional / vocational
programmes
- Technical programmes
- Research programmes
These programmes are knowledge
and skill oriented.
The academic programmes launched
so far are modular and are characterized by the definite number of credit
points which are awarded on completion of the programme. A credit point
denotes the number of hours the student has to devote to study. Each credit
point consists of 30-35 hours of study which includes reading, writing
notes , consulting counselors and listening and watching to audio and
video programmes. In accordance with the modular structure adopted , a
student may take up a few courses collect the credit points for them and
obtain a certificate. The some later date he may wish to take up other
related courses. A combined collection of these and earlier credits may
lead to a Diploma. A similar collection of credit for additional courses
may lead eventually to a degree and then to a research programme.
Already launched
programmes
A)
Degree Programmes
B. A. / B. Com (General)
B. Ed. (Professional)
M. Ed (Professional)
M.B.A. (Professional)
M.A. / M.Com. / M.Sc. (Distance
Education, Educational Communication and Subject communication (Post Graduate)
M.Phil / Ph.D. (Distance Edn,
Educational Communication and Subject Communication (ResearchProgramme)
B)
Diploma Programmes
Diploma in Applied Electronics
Diploma in General Electronics
Diploma in Computer Operations
Diploma in Office Services
Diploma in Fruit Production
Diploma in Vegetable Production
Diploma in School Management
Diploma in English
C)
Certificate Programmes (C.P.)
CP in Engineering Vocation
- Plumber, Mason, Domestic Wireman, Lathe Operator, Radio and Tape Mechanic,
Two wheeler Mechanic, Fitter, General Mechanic
CP in Mango, Ber, Onion, Groundnut,
Sugarcane, Cotton, Pomegranate, Safflower, Sericulture, Computer (Basic),Journalism
D)
Preparatory B.A. / B.Com Programme
These Programmes are conducted
twice in an year. Post Graduate Research Programme
M.A., M.Com., M.Sc., M.Phil.,
Ph.D. (in Distance Education, Educational Communication and subject communication),
M.Ed. and M.B.A. are the post graduate research programmes already launched.
They are supported by study materials by indigenously developed workbooks.
Except for M.Ed. and M.B.A. all the five post graduate research Programmes
are based on communication in three categories, viz. distance education
communication, educational communication and subject communication. Allied
Activities
Educational Programmes ,their
development and operations are supported by the Centre for Instructional
Technology, the Print Production Centre and the Audio-Visual Centre and
the Training Centre. These centres together help academic division to
tune information in a distance education format, enriching it and at the
same time making its communication effective. Educational Services and
Network
Unlike conventional universities,
the open university is unique in many respects - its purpose, the course
style and the delivery network. The goal of the university is to become
a "Mass Varsity" . So it endeavours to reach every potential learner.
The learners are not homogeneous and are from both formal and non-formal
stream. Therefore, the study-material needs to be prepared in a communication
efficient format for such a heterogeneous lot. Further, the University
per se is not a teaching campus. Therefore programme delivery at YCMOU
is done through a three-tier system linked with the University headquarters
at Nashik. YCMOU has established seven regional centres at major cities
of the state . Every regional centre has some study centres, sub-study
centres and work centres under its jurisdiction. It is these study three
types of centres that function as the interface between the University
and the students. The students visit these centres periodically and attend
counseling sessions., practical and audio-visual sessions. Student Services
Division at the Headquarters and at Regional, District, Study, Sub-Study,
Work centres and at Work places and Prayog Pariwar together constitute
a programme delivery system. The centers are equipped with necessary infrastructure
providing the learners with opportunities to get human support form counselors.
Information
at a glance
| Serial
No. |
Description |
Number |
| 1 |
Programmes |
135 |
| 2 |
Courses |
185 |
| 3 |
Course Books |
185 |
| 4 |
Audio Cassettes |
275 |
| 5 |
Video cassettes |
170 |
| 6 |
Regional Center |
007 |
| 7 |
Study Centers |
503 |
| 8 |
Work Centers |
324 |
| 9 |
Councelors |
3737 |
| 10 |
Enrollment |
233609 |
| 11 |
Staff at the HQ |
237 |
Regional
Centres
University has introduced
computerization and mechanization in its functions as it accepts guiding
principles of cost effectiveness and modernization in organizing office
administration. New equipment and techniques are exposed and new software
are developed and the old are updated to meet the various requirements
of University working.
Important
features
- Recognition from the University
Grants Commission
- The University has already
received recognition from the University Grants Commission, New Delhi
under Section 12 B of the UGC Act.
- The Post-graduate programme
of the University has been accredited and accorded equivalence with
two refresher courses prescribed for college and University teachers
in the career advancement scheme.
Development
of Evaluation Technology
The Student Evaluation Resource
Centre (SERC) a unique feature of YCMOU is primarily engaged in evaluation
and has been entrusted with the task of developing evaluation technology.
The SERC processes examination material and updates its database of question
banks, question papers and development of model question papers with synoptic
answers. The "On Demand Examination Project" covers the revised preparatory
and Foundation Courses. This will help to make paper setting more rational
as it would be programme controlled and computerized. SERC is also developing
a data bank of evaluation personnel.
Krishi
Vigyan Kendra
The Indian Council of Agricultural
Research (ICRA) New Delhi has sanctioned YCMOU a Krishi Vigyan Kendra
(KVK). The KVK will act as nodal training and resource centre and will
provide opportunities of higher training leading to Diploma or Degree
for Village Extension Workers (VEWs), Agricultural Extension Officers
(AEOs), Subject Matters Specialists (SMSs) etc. through distance education.
Programmes in Teacher Education
The YCMOU has established
an in-service teacher training programme in cooperation with the department
of Education, Government of Maharashtra. This programme combines the distance
education methodology with innovative face-to-face contact activity. To
date an estimated 13000 teachers have been benefited from this programme.
The University conducts a
Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) programme. Although it fetches a huge number
of applications from teachers, only a number of students are admitted
to maintain standards of the programme.
An inservice training programme
for the Heads of Secondary School in the state and the Master of Education
Programme (M.Ed.) will be launched soon. Sanvad
University is successfully
executing the responsibility of publishing and distributing the YCMOU
student information news letter "Sanvad".
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