Finances of Centre for Distance Education, Osmania University in Telangana State

Abstract

The distance and open learning has witnessed a tremendous progress in the recent past in India. The Directorate of Distance Education, Osmania University, Hyderabad, is one of the third biggest Universities of Andhra Pradesh. The Osmania University established in 1919, is the seventh oldest in the country, third oldest in South India and the first to be established in the princely State of Hyderabad. One of the basic ideals of Osmania University is to achieve an intellectual synthesis of oriental and occidental learning of the best that has been thought of and said, both in the East and in the West. Further, it aims at a cultural synthesis (as reflected in its architectural variety), the development of a national ethos and the creation of an academic and social environment in which ‘National Integration’ is not a nebulous idea but a tangible reality. The Vision of the University is to generate and disseminate knowledge through a harmonious blend of ancient and modern wisdom, and to serve the society by developing in students heightened intellectual, cultural, ethical and humane sensitivities to foster a scientific temper, and to promote professional and technological expertise. Central to this vision is a commitment to regional and national development in consonance with our culture, heritage and environment. The advantage of CDE of OU is location in the state capital and increased job potential due to number of industries, organizations, Universities, and institutions of state and national level. But owing to establishment of DECs of other Universities in Hyderabad, the enrolment has been gradually decreasing. In CDE of OU, the mean value of consolidated income is registered at high magnitude. Yearly variations in consolidated income are wild and wide but the growth rate in income is moderate. The average income from examination and ‘others’ is moderate. While average income from University is low, it reported high in the case of income from courses. The yearly variations in income are more pronounced in the case of courses and examinations while moderate trend is noticed in the case of income from University and ‘others’. Study material waste should be minimized. Study material shall get printed optimally. In other words, the study material shall be printed on demand-wise and need basis. An appropriate organization model at DEC level shall be developed. The suggested model is that under Director, there shall be two Deputy Directors and four Assistant Directors representing key areas of the administration.