Odisha State Open University, Sambalpur (OSOU)

The Odisha State Open University shall have jurisdiction over the whole of the State of Odisha. The University shall focus on education, research and training by diversity on means of distance and continuing education including the use of new educati tinuing education including the use of new educational technology available to common man at affordable cost. Degrees, Diplomas and Certificates issued by the University shall be treated at par with Degrees/Diplomas issued by other Universities established by centre/states and recognized by UGC. Emphasis will be placed on Skill Based Education to enhance employ ability of the students. Besides Skill Based and vocational courses, focus will be on Teacher Education, Business & Management Studies, Computer Science courses, Engineering Science (short-term), paramedical courses, agriculture and foreign language courses. Add-on courses will be offered targeting students already admitted in Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the State .The fee to be charged from the students shall be made reasonable and affordable by disadvantaged groups. All Norms and Regulations prescribed by statutory bodies like UGC, AICTE, NCTE, NCI, BCI, DEB, and MCI etc. shall be strictly followed in offering academic programmes by the Odisha State Open University. The Governor of Odisha is the Chancellor of the University. By virtue of his office, Chancellor is the head of the State Open University. The headquarters of the University shall be located at Sambalpur. To fulfill its mandate the Open University shall establish Regional Centres and Study Centres in different parts of the State using the existing infrastructure of Government/Govt. Aided Colleges and other institution. To play a positive role in the development of the State through education, research, training and capacity building To give emphasis on skill based vocational add-on courses for promoting employment opportunities To ensure access and equity in higher education To increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in Odisha. To create a state-wide network of Study Centres to reach out to all parts of the state and all segments of the society To create University-Industry interface To promote inclusiveness in higher education and establish University-community linkages. Design and development of high-quality self-learning materials (SLM) in English and regional language. Production of audio/video programmes in English and regional language. Development of e-content integrating multimedia components Design and development of e-learning and m-learning platforms. Web-conferencing and video-conferencing facilities for real time teaching and learning. Online attendance management system at all study centres for academic monitoring of counseling and skill training sessions. Online student feedback system for monitoring the quality of counseling and training programme. Installation of biometric system and CCTV at study centres to monitor skill-based training. Integrated Examination Management System with Question Bank, Online Evaluation and Digitization of certificates. Construction of academic and administrative blocks, multimedia centre and centralized computing facility. Faculty and student Exchange programs with State Open Universities (SOUs) for adoption of best practices. Wide Area Network (WAN) and Local Area Network (LAN) and connectivity with the national network. Contractual staff (teaching and non-teaching) appointment and training for capacity building. Creation of IQAC, Legal Cell, Anti-sexual Harassment Cell, Anti-ragging Cell and Equal Opportunity Cell along with OER policy implementation cell. Creating institutional brand image through Learning Management System (LMS), Internet Radio (Pragnya Vani) and internet-based video platform (Gyan Jyoti). Research activities to be augmented through R&D Cell and making provision for research & Training Apprentice (RTA). Village immersion by students and adoption of two villages by university for enhancing quality of life. Establishment of campus placement cell and training of students in soft skills to enhance employability. Financial support to disadvantaged groups. Fee exemption for transgender Introducing ‘Earn and Learn’ scheme for needy. Distribution of smart phone and tablets to the Disadvantaged social groups to facilitate online/mobile learning process.