Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) has decided to revisit the proposal of Distance Education. RTMNU, like a few other universities, had once thought of opening a Centre for Distance Education (CDE). A panel had even submitted the proposal to the then Vice-Chancellor Dr Vilas Sapkal, but the project never took off.

Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari has decided to take up the project. Dr Chaudhari told ‘The Hitavada’, “After taking charge, I studied certain projects which were floated in the past, but never reached their destination. The Centre for Distance Education (CDE) was one of those. The University Grants Commission (UGC) had certain restrictions which had put the launch of CDE on backburner. Now, the Government has relaxed those rules. We are working to start CDE as soon as possible. We will form a new committee to prepare a format to start CDE.” Dr P Sivaswaroop, Regional Director of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), has offered his full co-operation to RTMNU to start the CDE, sources informed.

There are students who are unable to continue their education due to several reasons. If such students wish to pursue their education with traditional universities, the facility of distance education is not available with many universities.

A committee formed by RTMNU in this regard has prepared proposals about courses that were to be designed and the subjects to be incorporated. However, the old bodies were dissolved, and the proposals remained untouched. The nod to run online and distance learning courses at higher educational institutions will have a larger impact on the society, as those who are unable to attend classes can avail the facility and raise their academic profiles.