Mysuru: To save the future of nearly 4 lakh students enrolled with the KSO, Former Minister S.A. Ramdas sought the intervention of the Governor, who is also the Chancellor of the Universities in the State, with regards to the the UGC de-recognising KSOU courses.

Addressing a press meet at Patrakarthara Bhavan on Friday June 19, Ramdas said that as per the UGC Act, an Open University established in a State cannot operate beyond its territorial jurisdiction. But the KSOU has set up 200 franchisee centres and over 2,000 study centres across the country, besides establishing centres in 5 foreign countries in violation of the Act, he said.

Stating that the KSOU had invited applications from candidates even for some non-MBBS medical courses and para-medical courses in violation of the law, Ramdas recalled that he had raided 2 KSOU centres in Bengaluru when he was Medical Education Minister in 2012.

Pointing out that he had brought to the notice of the Governor that the KSOU had indulged in admitting students to several courses by giving false information in its 2013-2014 prospectus, Ramdas said the future of nearly 4 lakh students who have enrolled with the KSOU for over 400 courses offered by it, is now at stake.

Noting that the then KSOU Vice-Chancellor had on Mar. 7, 2011 written to the Distance Education Council that the KSOU was offering several UG and PG courses only for the sake of learning and not for job opportunities, the former Minister said that with the UGC de-recognising hundreds of KSOU courses, those who have secured employment by producing the KSOU degree certificates will be put to a lot of hardship.

Earlier Report: