Netaji Subhas Open University

Netaji Subhas Open University
Established	1997
Type	Public
Vice-Chancellor	Professor Subha Shankar Sarkar
Location	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Campus	Urban
Affiliations	UGC
Website	www.wbnsou.ac.in

Netaji Subhas Open University (NSOU) is an open university imparting distance education in eastern India. It is the 58th largest university in the world.^{[citation needed]}

History

It was established in 1997 to commemorate the birth centenary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It has its headquarters at 1, Woodburn Park, Kolkata, once the residence of Netaji. Its medium of instruction are English and Bengali. Modeled on the Open University, UK and the IGNOU, it offers courses in different disciplines of taught graduate and post-graduate study and is one of the largest growing distance education universities in eastern India.

Campus

The University functions from the following campuses:

NSOU Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata.

• Netaji Subhas Open University, 1 Woodburn Park, Kolkata 700020 (Headquarters of all administrative works)
• Netaji Subhas Open University, 2nd Floor, 134/1, Meghnad Saha Sarani, Kolkata 700029 (School of Professional and Technological Studies, Office of the Controller of Examinations and Centre for Language Studies)
• Netaji Subhas Open University, 24/8, Garcha 1st Lane, Kolkata 700019 (Transmission Centre of FM Channel Gyan Vani).
• Netaji Subhas Open University, 1st Floor, K2, Bidhan Nagar Fire Station, Sector-V, Salt Lake, Kolkata 700091 (School of Sciences , Publications, Online and Video-Conferencing Units)

• Ben Fish Bhavan, Salt Lake (another Print and Publication Section).

The University is developing a 15-acre (61,000 m²) integrated campus at Kalyani.

At present, the University is continuing its work with 160 Study Centres. In near future more Study Centres will be opened.

Academics

Programmes offered

The following programmes are offered by Netaji Subhas Open University.

• Undergraduate Honours Courses
  • Humanities and Social Science: Bengali, English, History, Sociology, Economics, Political Science, Public Administration.
  • Science: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany, Zoology, Geography.
  • Commerce: B.Com.

• Postgraduate Courses
  • Humanities and Social Science: Bengali, English, English Language Teaching, History, Education, Social Work, Political Science.
  • Science: Geography, Zoology, Mathematics.
  • Commerce: M.com
  • Interdisciplinary Science: Library Science.
  • Computer Science: MCA.
  • Business Administration: MBA.

• PhD Programmes
  • Arts: all subjects
  • Science: Mathematics, Geography, Environmental Science
  • Commerce
  • Management
  • Computer Science/Application
  • Distance Education
  • Interdisciplinary Subjects

Besides NSOU offers various certificate, diploma and postgraduate diploma courses.

Library

The Central library of Netaji Subhas Open University is located at the Golpark Campus of the University (2nd Floor, 134/1, Meghnad Saha Sarani, Kolkata-29). Library facilities are also available at its Study Centres.

Accreditation & Recognition

• Recognized by University Grants Commission (UGC).
• Recognized by Distance Education Council, Govt. of India.
• Recognized by other State Universities in West Bengal.
• The University is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).
• The University is a member of the Association of Asian Open Universities (AAOU).
• The University is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU).

Teaching methods

To provide individualized support to its students, NSOU has large number of Study Centres throughout West Bengal.

NSOU uses a variety of methods for distance learning:

1. Self Instructional Material: Self instructional study materials are distributed to the students through the Study Centres.

2. Audio-Video CD: Audio and video cassettes of a specific programme are supplied to the Study Centres. The audiotapes are run and video cassettes are screened at the Study Centres.

3. Personal Contact Programme: Instruction are imparted through self-instructional study materials and Personal Contact Programme. The Personal Contact Programme is generally held on Saturdays and Sundays.

4. Gyan Vani FM Channel: NSOU started the Gyan Vani FM, Kolkata, a radio channel on 105.4 MHz.

5. Interactive Radio Counselling: The University broadcasts different subjects on 4th Sunday of every month through All India Radio (AIR) at Kolkata B. Apart from the regular classes various topics on Awareness Programme; Support Services Special Programme of National importances are also broadcast.

Bangla Online

Netaji Subhas Open University in collaboration with Central Institute of Indian Languages, Mysore has launched Bangla Online (an Online Language Teaching Course on Bengali Language) on March 24, 2004.

Awards

In 2006, Netaji Subhas Open University received Excellence in Distance Education Award (EDEA) from Commonwealth of Learning (COL) for institutional excellence.^[1]

References

1. ^ Netaji Subhas Open University wins Commonwealth award The Hindu November 16, 2006

External links

• Official website of Netaji Subhas Open University

See also

• List of universities in India