USOL  CELEBRATING  “GOLDEN JUBILEE OF DISTANCE EDUCATION IN INDIA”
S. Sikander Singh Maluka inaugurates the National Conclave of Directors/CEOs of
DistanceEducation Institutes.
 

CHANDIGARH- June 06 2012: To mark 50 years of challenges in Distance Education,
University School of Open Learning (USOL) organized a National Conclave of
Directors/CEOs of Open and Distance Education Institutes on 6th June, 2012.  This was
followed by a National Conference on Correspondence Education to Open and Distance
Education on June 7th, 2012.  This historic event was inaugurated by the Hon’ble
Minister of Education, Punjab S. Sikander Singh Maluka.   Recognized for his travels
abroad, the Hon’ble Minister spoke of the radical changes being brought about in
education.  He sensitized the august audience about the need of community colleges
engaged in vocational education.  He sought the help of the universities in opening
community colleges e in every district of India so that the unemployed youth could get
work according to their skill.  He applauded the efforts of distance education
institutes.  This memorable occasion was also appreciated by Prof. S.K. Sharma,
Secretary to Vice-Chancellor, who was the Guest of Honour at Golden Jubilee
Celebrations.  Earlier, the Chairperson of USOL Prof. Lalit K. Bansal deliberated upon
the theme of the seminar and hoped that the CEOs and Directors would identify the
thrust areas in distance education and come out workable solutions.  He also gave his
wishes to the 54 researchers who would be making their presentations during the course of two day
conference.
 

The first session of the National Conclave of Directors/CEOs of Open and Distance
Education Institutes began with a veteran Distance Educationist,   Prof. S. Bhatnagar,
former Director, Directorate of Correspondence Courses who recalled, how the early
distance education institutes evolved as shadow institutes of host Universities to
offer their conventional courses to the poor cousins of regular students.  He termed distance
education as a boon but wanted that today’s open distance educators must make it the
real back-bone of the modern education system.
 

Prof. Romesh Verma, General Secretary, IDEA, while thanking the hosts USOL, Panjab
University, clearly outlined the agenda before the CEOs of Distance Education
Institutes.  He presented the objectives of the 12th Five Years Plans and urged the
house to raise their concerns and articulate a collective appeal to be handed over to
the HRD Ministry.
 

Prof. Tajinder Kaur, Director, Punjabi University, Patiala raised the concerns of a
biased mindset of people towards distance education and the discriminations faced by
Distance students.
 

Prof. Rana, Prof. Khan Prof Vijay Dev, Prof. N. K. Aggarwal, Prof. R.K. Sharma and two
former Chairpersons of USOL Prof. Devinder Singh and Prof. Ujaggar Singh shared their
concerns and rich experiences with the house and offered several suggestions to be
incorporated in the concept note.
 

Prof. Lalit K. Bansal, Chairperson, USOL rightly observed that the financial
constraints experienced by Distance Education Institutes can be well address if equitable budgetary
allocations are worked out well in advance by Central Funding Agencies. 

Prof. Ravi Kant Mahajan observed that distance education now after it enters into its
next developmental phase must adopt a new futuristic vision to cater to the changed
needs of the modern distance learner.
 

The Conclave is followed by National Conference on “Correspondence Education to Open
and Distance Education: 50 Years of Revolution and Challenges Ahead”.  The Conference
continues on June 7, 2012 also, the Chairperson, USOL informed. 
Press Note No.276
 

       MMK/PS