ANNUAL REPORT 2014 The Tamil Nadu Open University has started offering Programmes, besides the Open and the Distance Learning using modern technologies, to not only fulfilling the needs of human resources of this century, but also to satisfy the requirements of ensuing years. Within a decade since its existence, the TNOU has catered to the learning needs of more than 5 lakh students with over 100 Programmes, one fifth of which are in vocational and skill development areas. From the Academic Year 2013-2014, the M.Phil and Ph.D research Programmes were introduced under the full-time and the part-time streams, strictly following the guidelines of the University Grants Commission. As of now, there are 82 Doctoral Scholars (24 full-time and 58 part-time) and 61 M.Phil research scholars in various disciplines. The instructional system of the University comprises quality selflearning print materials, multi-media eContent, face-to-face contact sessions, conducted mostly on weekends, continuous internal assessment and term-end examination. SCHOLARSHIP:
The University has distributed a sum of Rs.5,53,610/- (Five Lakh Fifty Three Thousand Six Hundred and Ten) to 245 students during the Academic Year 2012-2013 under the SC/ST Scholarship. In addition, it has distributed Rs. 14,990/- (Fourteen Thousand Nine Hundred and Ninety) to 15 physically challenged students. COMMUNITY COLLEGES:
The TNOU is a leader in the introduction of vocational programmes at a distance and a pioneer in the introduction of Community Colleges in India. Recognizing the exemplary work of the University in the field of Vocational Education, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced during the Assembly Session 2012 the establishment of 32 Constituent Community Colleges of Tamil Nadu Open University – one each in every District in the State. As an initial step, Constituent Community Colleges have been established in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Madurai and Trichy. Steps are being seriously taken to establish them in other Districts. 1
Apart from this, the Ministry of Human Resources Development (MHRD), Government of India, has identified TNOU as the Nodal Agency in the State for launching its Community College Scheme. At present, the TNOU offers 22 Vocational Programmes through 195 Community Colleges. To encourage the vocational education scheme, the Government has announced a scholarship of Rs.1,000 to each of the TNOU Community College students. As on date, 3912 students have received this scholarship. The University provided 8 Computers and 10 Sewing Machines to the students of Community Colleges under the Zonal Centres of Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Madurai and Trichy each. In total 32 Computers and 40 Sewing Machines were distributed so far. In addition, I am happy to mention that the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Amma has graciously extended the free bus-pass facility to the students of TNOU Community Colleges. E-GOVERNANCE:
With the idea of transparency in administration and efficiency in performance, the TNOU has brought all its activities under e-Governance and is now poised to embark on technology-enabled learning environments. Among others, the preparation of 15 e-Content Programmes is under process. STUDENT ADMISSION:
Student enrolment grains an important place in Open and Distance Learning. Since the last academic year, the procedures of admission, distribution of Identity Cards and learning materials, awarding of Internal Assessment Marks, and conduct of term-end examination etc., have been further streamlined to ensure fast and timely services. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES:
Service to students is paramount in the Open and Distance Learning context. The TNOU has a strong network of student support services with 4 University Coordinating Centres, 152 Study Centres, 165 Computer Programme Centres, 10 B.Ed Programme Centres (General), 13 B.Ed Programmes Centres (Special Education), 9 Special Centres in Prisons, 33 2
off-campus Centres and 03 Counselling and Psychotheraphy Centres. In addition, the University has entered into an MoU with Edu Kart for a virtual Study Centre facility. To give further fillip to student services, the Hon’ble Chief Minister announced the establishment of 5 Zonal Centres of TNOU-one each in Srirangam (Trichy), Coimbatore, Madurai, Dharmapuri and Chennai – and subsequently sanctioned Rs. 21,72,000 (twenty One Lakh and Seventy Two Thousand) to each Centre and inaugurated them on 03.06.2013 and 06.05.2013. I am happy to inform that these Centres have proved to be a boon to tens and thousands of students in accessing the University resources with ease. At the first time in the history of TNOU, the Special Employment Camp was organised for the students in this academic year. ACADEMIC BLOCK:
In 2005, the Hon’ble Chief Minister allotted 8,680.5 sq.m of land in Saidapet, Chennai to house the Tamil Nadu Open University. While a seven storey Administrative Block has already been completed, the University has commenced the construction of Academic Block and Learning Resources Complex with generous grant of Rs. 10.31 crore sanctioned by the Government and the laying of foundation by Hon’ble Chief Minister on 12.02.2014 through video conferencing. SPECIAL SCHEMES:
With the generous development grant of Rs.1.65 crore received from the Government, the University has carried out the following activities: 1) Smart Classroom with Video Conferencing was created at the cost of Rs. 20 lakh. Initially 300 students got benefitted and 45,000 students will avail it in future. 2) Language Laboratory was established to teach Chinese, English, French and German using language software worth of Rs. 15 lakh. 3) The Entrepreneurial Development Cell was established with Rs.20 lakh and it has trained 80 Community College Teachers in two phases from 01.04.2013 to 05.04.2013 and 08.04.2013 to 12.04.2013. 3
Further, the Cell offered Vocational Training to 203 participants in the fields of Computers, Tailoring and Fashion Technology from November 2013 to January 2014. In addition, 200 teachers of 60 Community Colleges underwent training 4) The Curriculum Development Cell was established at the cost of Rs.1 crore to review and revise the syallabi/curricula as well as to frame innovative curricula. As of now 390 curricula were reformed and new Curricula have been framed for 20 programmes. 5) More than 18 experts and academics from Austria, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Malaysia, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, USA and UK visited the University and delivered lectures on their respective fields of study and participated in the curriculum revision activities. I am proud to mention that 238 teachers and 738 students of Universities/Colleges participated in it. * * SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/SPECIAL PROGRAMMES:
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While about 50 seminars, workshops, training programmes, conferences etc., were organised in the University, the Members of Staff also actively participated in the National and International seminars. Some of these include the following: ·
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The School of Computer Science organised a Seminar on “The Contemporary use of learning through computer and e-content” on 21.03.2013 and conducted a Workshop on “Curriculum Development” on 22nd and 23rd March 2013 The School of Continuing Education arranged an Orientation Programme for the Principals of Community Colleges, Government Arts and Science Colleges and Polytechnic Colleges on 06.06.2013. A Workshop on “The Role of Community Colleges” was conducted on 08.02.2013 with the support of Tamil Nadu State Planning Commission. It also organised an International Seminar on “Research Methodology in Economics” on 13.09.2013.
A training programme for “Implementation of NVEQF through TNOU Community Colleges” was arranged for the Coordinators of Community Colleges on 27.03.2014. A three-day Workshop on “Curriculum Development for Flexible Skill Training” was organised in collaboration with the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), New Delhi from 26th to 28th 2014. The School held a special training camp for the staff of the Constituent Community Colleges of TNOU on 30.09.2013 in Chennai and 25.05.2014 in Madurai.
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The School of Education conducted a two-day International Seminar on “Quality Enhancement In Higher Education beyond Cognition” on 21st and 22nd November 2013 and organised and International Seminar on “The Challenges towards Social Science Studies”.
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The School of Humanities held a Workshop on “Curriculum Development” from 21st to 23rd March 2013. It also conducted a Workshop cum Seminar on “Curriculum Reformation” on 10th April 2013. The School conducted a Workshop on “Recent Trends in Design and Development of SLM” on 25the March 2014.
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The School of History and Tourism Studies conducted a one day Seminar on “Emergence of Sustainable Tourism” on 21st February, 2013 and a two-day National Conference on “Women in Science and Technology” from 30th to 31st August 2013. On 10th March 2014, it organised the International women’s Day celebrations.
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The School of Management Studies conducted a Workshop on “Curriculum Reformation” on 20th and 21st March 2013. It held an International Seminary on “Contemporary Issues in Management” on 22nd March 2013. The School has also introduced an Online MBA (IT-enabled Financial Services). The School signed an MoU to start up six Study Centres for MBA Shipping and Logistics, one for MBA Hospital Management and two for MBA Retail Management.
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The School of Politics and Public Administration organised a one day International Seminar on “Issues and Trends in the
Contemporary Politics and Public Administration” on 2th September, 2013. ·
The School of Science conducted a National Seminar on “Development in Number Theory” on 15.03.2013 and an International Seminar on “Mechanics” on 21.03.2013.
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The School of Social Sciences organised an International Seminar on “Current Perspectives in Educational Psychology” on 28th and 29th November 2013.
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The School of Special Education and Rehabilitation conducted a National Seminar on “Inclusive Development in Higher Education” on 19th and 20th April, 2013. On 19th November, 2013, it organised an International Seminary on “Making Special Education Inclusive from Rhetoric to Reality”.
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The School of Tamil and Cultural Studies organised Guest Lectures involving International Scholars on 26.03.2013 and 17.04.2013. It organised a Workshop on ‘Curriculum Development and Enhancement’ during 16th to 18th April 2013. The School organised a Seminar on ‘Portrayal of Tamil Culture in Tamil Cinema’ on 19.07.2013 and another one Seminar on ‘Tamil Sitthar Neri’ on 25.07.2013. Moreover, it conducted a Seminar on “Vaazha Pazhaguvom” on 29.08.2013. In collaboration with National Testing Service, Mysore, it organised a Training Programmes on ‘Micro Testing and Evaluation’ on 7th, 8th and 9th November 2013. It also celebrated the World Book Day.
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Admission Wing arranged a Seminar for Research Scholars on “Research Methodology” on 03.04.2014 and conducted a workshop on “Financial Planning in Office Atmosphere”.
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The Student Support Services Division organised a meeting of the Coordinators of Study Centres on 9th April 2013 and an Orientation Programmes for the staff of the Zonal Centres on 8th October 2013.
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The Vice-Chancellor and the Professor and Director, School of Humanities participated at the Shangai International Conference on “Ubiquitous Learning” and presented a research paper entitled “Deciphering Quality on Learner Support Services” which was awarded the ‘Excellent Prize’.
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The University Library has 20,475 collections and modernizing the Library is under process. Over 510 books prepared at the University in self learning format have obtained ISBN. The rest will get the ISBN shortly.
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The University has planned to launch 8 PG Programmes, 1 UG Programmes, 2 Post Graduate Diplomas, 1 Diploma and 21 Certificate Programmes in the forthcoming academic year. The details of which are given below: - PG Programmes: Applied Linguistics, Computer Science, Development Administration, International Relations, Police Administration, Translation Studies, Special Education and Women Studies - UG Programme: Visual Communication - PG Diploma Programmes: Creative Writing in English and Special Education - Diploma Programme: E-Learning - Certificate Programmes: Special Education, Bharatham, Fine Art, Yoga, 8th Standard Sarathy and 16 Agri-related Programmes in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. *
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