Open universities have turned completely digital in Telangana
- Open universities show the way to digitisation, have made digital transformation in systems.
- Authorities, however, need clarity on the acknowledgement given to the degrees bestowed by open universities
FollowConventional universities are reported to be lagging far behind their open distance learning counterparts when it comes to technical digitisation. Vice Chancellor of IGNOU, Prof Ravindra Kumar said that open universities have gone completely digital in their systems and processes. For example, most of their services like registration, fee payments, admissions and exam results have become digital, which is not the case in conventional education.
Speaking to popular media agencies, he further said, "If a student pays college fees by way of a DD, it takes some time before the amount is re-flected on the candidate’s name. However, through electronic transfer of money, the formalities are completed in a few minutes. IGNOU has been doing this".
Speaking in the All India Vice Chancellor's Conference in Hyderabad, he said that study materials have also been completely digitised through Swayam Prabha. Tele-education services are also being provided to students who cannot come to the center for regular classes through five dedicated channels from the Doordarshan Group.
On the flip side, B. R. Ambedkar Open University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K. Seetharama Rao said that while open education is being accepted as an authentic means of education, clarity needs to be provided on the recognition of its degrees by the UGC or the HRD ministry. He also pointed out that these institutions have no proper regulations and accreditation policies.
