Vardhman Mahaveer Open University - VMOU - Kota (Rajasthan)

Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University (VMOU or previously known as Kota Open University, renamed through a Gazette notification by the Government of Rajasthan on 21st September 2002) came into being in 1987 as a pioneering institution for open learning in Rajasthan. The idea of establishing an open university in the State of Rajasthan has its origin in the observations of the UGC Committee under the Chairmanship of Late Prof. G. Rama Reddy which observed that “the distance system in Rajasthan is well established and has the potential of growing into a full-fledged Open University.” The establishment of VMOU (Vardhaman Mahaveer Open University) took place with the amalgamation of two institutes of correspondences courses viz. Institute of Correspondence Studies and Continuing Education Jaipur and (College of Correspondence Studies) Udaipur with a view to strengthen and achieve proper coordination among the scattered vast distance education resources and to serve the people of State a uniform high quality education.

The major objective of VMOU is to provide educational opportunities to a larger segment of the population, particularly disadvantaged groups such as SC/ST, people living in rural and remote areas, women, in-service people and so on. Some of the functions to be performed by the University as per Act are : To provide for instruction and research in branches of knowledge technology, vocation and profession as the university may deem necessary of proper; To prescribe courses of study for degrees, diplomas, certificates or any other purpose; To hold examinations and confer degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic distinctions; To determine the manner of distance education system so as to organize academic programmes; To associate with other universities and institutions especially with IGNOU in order to have therewith interlocking system in the field of distance education. To institute and award fellowships, scholarships and prizes; To establish and maintain Regional Centers and Study Centers as institutional devices for catering to distance education in the state; To accord recognition to examinations, studies and activities conducted by other universities, institutions, academic bodies and organizations; To perform all such functions which are necessary for and incidental in achieving the aims and objectives of the University.

Vision

The Open University in Rajasthan was initiated : As an instrument of democratizing education and to augment opportunities for higher education. To widen access to and promote a flexible, innovative and cost-effective system of education.