Alva called for more support to open universities

Rajasthan Governor Margaret Alva today called for enhanced support to open universities as they could cater to a large number of students in a cost effective manner.
Alva said Open Universities could offer an optimal solution to the challenge in the face of demands for quantitative and qualitative enhancement of higher education, persistent resource constraints and the availability of new communication technologies.
The Governor was speaking at the seventh convocation of Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University in Kota. She said new communication technologies enabled universities, offering Distance Education, to go global.
Open Universities -- through websites, web radio, web television and live streaming of seminars and discussions -- reach out to students in an interactive manner.

Alva, who is chancellor of the varsity, said open universities should have trained and highly talented teachers.
"Education, besides imparting knowledge and skills, should foster a sense of social commitment among the youth. Towards this end, the universities should devise courses on democracy, human rights, gender studies and empowerment of marginalised communities, including women and children," she said.