SAMBALPUR: Classes to various courses offered by the Odisha State Open University (OSOU), the 15th open university in the country, are likely to begin from January 15. The classes will be held on Sundays and holidays by guest faculties till regular faculties are appointed, said Officer on Special Duty (OSD), OSOU, Dr Srikant Mohapatra.
Speaking at the induction ceremony held at GM University Campus on Sunday, Mohapatra said 221 students, including 34 girls, have been enrolled in Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication (DJMC), Diploma in Rural Development (DRD), Diploma in Management (DIM), Diploma in Cyber Security (DCS), Diploma in Computer Application (DCA) besides Certificate in Communication Skills (CCS). At least 96 students are from western Odisha, he added.
Similar induction meeting will be held in Bhubaneswar and Berhampur on December 25 and 27 respectively. The maximum enrolment has been reported in DJMC with 113 students, followed by 63 in DRD, 14 each in DCS and CCS, 11 in DIM and only six students in DCA.
Mohapatra said of the total 221 students, 127 are self-employed, 63 are employed and 31 are unemployed. The students profile include 65-year-old retired HoD of Department of Neurology, SCBMCH, Dr Balkrishna Kuanar, who has taken admission to DCA and 63-year-old Bijaya Chandra Pattnaik of Koraput, who has opted for DJMC course, he said.
Although the study centres have not yet been notified, each district will have a centre with library facility where the students will get guidance for successful completion of their courses. Examinations will also be held at the study centres, he said.
Initially, in the first year, the examinations for each course will be held annually. But later, examination will be held semester-wise and grades will be given as score.
This apart, there will be five regional centres which will be located in Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Berhampur, Balasore and Jeypore to decentralise the administrative affairs of the university. The regional centres will help in counselling and admission process, he added.