Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) to tie up with India Post

For selling its applications for various courses

Distance education major Madurai Kamaraj University is set to stamp an agreement with India Post for selling its applications for various courses through the vast network of post offices across the State.

A team from the Department of Posts had a preliminary meeting with the Directorate of Distance Education officials of MKU here recently and a proposal was put forth for having Memorandum of Understanding between the university and India Post.

“We are convinced with the postal department's proposal because accessibility and availability of application forms is very important to tap students across Tamil Nadu. And, naturally, the post office would be our first choice since students in rural areas will benefit. Coming together of MKU and India Post is a student friendly move,” A. Thanikodi, Director of Distance Education, MKU, told The Hindu on Saturday.

According to him, the distance education wing will soon place this proposal before the varsity Syndicate for approval.

At present, those students who want to join distance courses of the university have to go to study centres in their places for getting the application or they can receive them by post from DDE (Directorate of Distance Education, MKU). “If the applications forms are sold through post offices, it will be a great thing for us as students will have easy access and it increases student enrolment,” Dr. Thanikodi said.

Apart from suggesting sale of applications, the team from Business Development Cell of Postal Department here comprising of Assistant Director Balachandar, I.P. Gowri, S. Ramachandran, Soundararajan and Senthilvel also mooted other proposals to the university suggesting areas where there can have collaboration.

Distribution of university study materials through the strong logistics network of Department of Posts is one among the proposals and it is also under consideration. Meanwhile, the Directorate of Distance Education is also ready with several other ideas to increase enrolment of students.

“We are planning for new study centres, partnership collaborations and revamping of examination system. These policy decisions are getting delayed due to absence of Vice-Chancellor for a long period. Once the Syndicate gives nod, more initiatives would be taken to put MKU in top position as far as distance education is concerned,” Dr. Thanikodi said.

Source : www.thehindu.com