Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University

The Yashwantrao Chavan Maharashtra Open University (YCMOU) was founded in 1989 by Maharashtra State Legislature as the fifth Open University in India. Headquartered in Nashik, YCMOU operates through its eight regional centres (RCs), with numerous associated study centres (SCs). Considered one of India’s “mega universities,” student enrolment is presently estimated at 300,000, in programmes ranging from the certificate to the PhD level. Courses are offered in Marathi, Hindi and English.

YCMOU’s stated mission is the application of modern communication technologies (in conjunction with distance education methodologies) to develop an “innovative, flexible and open system of education” (see http://ycmou.digitaluniversity.ac/Content.aspx?ID=31&ParentMenuID=7).

YCMOU courses feature various innovative approaches to classroom and distance learning, including:

• Satellite-transmitted screenings of lectures via EDUSAT (the first Indian satellite constructed specifically to serve the education sector). Lectures taking place in a single location are viewed by students in Virtual Learning Centres (VLCs) across the state, each equipped with full videoconferencing capabilities.

• “On-demand” screenings of these lectures in streaming video format (via World Wide Web). VLCs allow for scheduled group viewings of these lectures as well.

• Specially equipped “Mobile Learning Centre” vans with full computing and communications infrastructure, designed to convey educational opportunities to students in remote and rural regions.

The university is a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU), the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU), the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU), and the Commonwealth of Learning (COL). It is a recipient of the Institutional Excellence Award (2002) from the Commonwealth of Learning (Canada).

Its web sites include http://www.ycmou-cs.com, http://ycmou.digitaluniversity.ac/ and http://www.ycmou.com/.

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