Distance Learning & Correspondence Education Through Sikkim Manipal University or SMU

Distance Learning Overview 

Distance Education, distance learning is a field of education that focuses on the pedagogy, technology, and instructional systems design that aim to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site". Distance learning courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason including the taking of examinations is considered to be a hybrid or blended course of study.

Many teachers feel the opportunities offered by distance learning outweigh the obstacles. In fact, instructors often comment that the focused preparation required by distance teaching improves their overall teaching and empathy for their students. Through Distance learning they can:

Reach a wider student audience

Provide opportunity to students who are unable to attend on-campus classes

Involve outside speakers who would otherwise be unavailable

Link students from different social, cultural, economic, and experiential backgrounds

Correspondence Education 

Distance Education is not a new phenomenon. Promises of high-quality education that can be acquired anywhere and at any time were made early in the 20th century, by correspondence study programmes. The development of an extensive, relatively inexpensive postal service in the late 19th century led to the creation of print-based correspondence courses. In this model, the student had to register with some university for a course. He would then get all the relevant study material which the student would have to go through and study on his own. The student would then appear for examinations either at the university or at some university specified locations. He also had to submit his assignment through post, in order to get his degree. Communication, teaching and learning all took place using printed materials sent through the postal mail.

These programmes failed to realise their promises because they were confronted by a fundamental trade-off between quality-personalised education and quantity. As there was no interaction between the students and also with the faculty, and therefore the quality of education was very poor. The student had to work on his own to understand the subjects and prepare for the examinations. This eventually led to a widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of correspondence education.

Why SMU-DE 

• Widespread recognition: 
  All programmes offered by SMU-DE are recognised by the Distance Education Council . SMU-DE is a member of Association of Indian University (AIU). The University is also recognised by the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development and by the University Grants Commission (UGC)
• Quality Distance Education 
  SMU-DE delivers quality education through more than 6,500 commiitted and qualified mentors. SMU-DE attracts the best students in India who are looking for distance education. The type of students and the companies they work for is a testimonial of the quality of education SMU-DE provides
• On time delivery of courseware, exams and results: 
  SMU-DE is ISO 9001: 2000 certified. When you join the programme, you will be informed in advance when you will receive your courseware and exam schedule so as to help you plan your study. You will also be informed about when your results will be announced and can be assured of completing your degree in the stipulated time frame
• Student Support and Engagement 
  The student support team keeps students abreast of new initiatives launched by the university via emails and texting (SMS). The continuous dialogue helps student to become an integral part of the university
• Advantages of Authorised Centres: The strong nationwide network of Authorised Centres enables you to choose one that is easily accessible. There are more than 725 Authorised Centres in 310 towns enabling employees in transferable jobs to complete their education from anywhere in India. These Authorised Centres act as access points for advice, counseling or rendering any assistance required by the student
• The EduNxt edge 
  EduNxt is an award-winning learning delivery system that has brought students and teachers closer than ever. Students can take tests and quizzes online, read articles, blogs, participate in discussion forums and access rich content. EduNxt empowers students with anywhere, anytime access. Students experience a ‘portable campus’, have ‘carry along mentors’ and regularly access over one million online books and journals. 
  
  EduNxt is available to all students of of SMU-DE. To know more, log on toEduNxt
• Making Learning Accessible and AffordableScholarships are provided to 1500 meritorious students to access quality education. Education loans are provided to enable students to afford higher education
• Life-time e-mail ID to students
  
  
  
  

  How to Apply? 

  
  

  Applications for admission into the Distance Learning Programmes offered by SMU–DE need to be made at any of the  Authorised Centres. 

  
  
  Please follow the steps below:
  
  Step 1: Decide on the programme you want to pursue. Find programmes
  Step 2: Download the prospectus
  Step 3: Visit the nearest Authorised Centre. Click Here
  Step 4: Purchase the application form from the Authorised Centre
  Step 5: Fill the application in all respects and attach the requisite documents mentioned in the application along with the course fee by way of a Demand Draft in favour of “Sikkim Manipal University, DE” payable at Manipal / Udupi.
  Step 6: Submit the application form with the requisite documents at the Authorised Centre.
  
  Note: For Admission in International Centres please visit a Authorised Centre in your country for prospectus and application form 
  You can view the status of your application on this website by entering your application number
  
  For queries or more information, please e-mail helpdesk@smude.edu.in or call us at 1800-266-7878
  
  You can also apply online at http://admissions.smude.edu.in

Distance Education Through Amity School of Distance Learning

Welcome to Amity, India's No.1 ranked institute for Distance Learning Programmes

Amity School of Distance Learning (ASoDL) has been providing world-class Distance Education to thousands of students and working professionals across India, since the last 6 years. It is a matter of great pride that the excellent quality of course material, faculty, delivery methodology and student support services have been recognised and that Amity has been ranked the No.1 institute for Distance Learning by the prestigious B-school Ranking Survey (Source: Times of India). 

What has made Amity India's No.1 ranked pvt. institute for Distance Learning Programmes? Part of Amity Universe-40,000 Students, 130 Programmes,22 Campuses Amity School of Distance Learning (ASoDL) is an integral part of Amity, a conglomerate of over 50 world-class institutions imparting 130 courses to 40,000 students, spread across 22 integrated campuses. You, as a student of ASoDL, will be a part of this large Amity Family, where you will forge lifelong friendship with future Managers, Lawyers, Engineers, Journalists, Bio-technologists, Nano-technologists, IT, Telecom, Insurance professionals etc. Nurturing lifelong relationships with the corporate leaders of tomorrow.

Reputed & Experienced Faculty The faculty of ASoDL is a part of Amity's 2,500 strong faculty comprising distinguished academicians and industry experts, led by 11 former Vice Chancellors, including those of IIT-Roorkee and BHU, the former Chairman of UGC and the former Vice Chairman of AICTE. ASoDL focuses on giving the best of industry-oriented training to its students. It regularly invites corporate professionals from various industries who share their experience and help students put their theoretical knowledge into practice.

Academic Advisory Boards: To provide an industry specific curriculum, ASoDL enjoys the guidance of Amity's Academic Advisory Board. It comprises corporate leaders and academicians who meet regularly to contribute towards aligning the curriculum with the latest management practices being followed in the industry. A few members of the board are : Dr. Abad Ahmad Former Pro Vice Chancellor Former Director, FMS, Univ. of Delhi Dr. Anand Prakash Management Expert and Professor Member, University of Delhi Dr. Subhash Chand IIT, Delhi

Hi-tech back-end Support Services At Amity, we are committed to assist you at every level. We have a hi-tech back-end support to deliver study material on time, every time at your home or workplace. What's more, to clarify your doubts and queries you can chat online with our counsellors at www.amity.edu or call 0120-5391111 from any part of the country. Member of renowned International Distance Learning Associations To achieve global benchmark, ASODL has become a part of a number of Associations & International organizations. Some of them are: European Distance and E-learning Network Open and Distance Leaning Association of Australia American Council of Education Distance Learning Association of Canada

Corporate Tie-ups Amity has been working in a symbiotic relationship with corporate leaders to nurture talent for tomorrow. We have corporate tie-ups with leading corporates like GECIS, Infosys India, LG, BPL and many more organisations, to enable employees to pursue higher studies while working in these organisations

Global recognition for quality At Amity, we always believe in following the most modern approach for curriculum realignment, teaching methodology, infrastructural upgradation etc. We are proud of being India's first pvt. university to be certified with the highest ISO 9001-14001 Quality Award by AQSR of USA.

International Affiliations At Amity, we have forged international partnerships with renowned institutions across the world to ensure that we adopt globally benchmarked curriculum, teaching methodology and learning resources.

Amity has international partnerships with Purdue University, USA University of West of England, Bristrol, UK University of East of London, UK University of Cambridge, UK Florida Atlantic University, USA and University of Central Lancashire, UK

Regular Industry Institute Interaction At Amity, we have more interaction with the corporate world than any other institute-one of the reasons why we are consistently ranked at the top. This regular interaction comprises Management Development Programmes (MDPs), Seminars, Consultancy, Quiz Contests, Research & Resource Sharing, which helps students to apply their theoretical knowledge to real life corporate situations. You as a part of Amity Family, can participate in all these programmes, and gain the real world experience.

Interaction with Global Gurus and Industry Leaders Amity has been actively involved in facilitating interaction with more international experts than any other institution to provide a platform to these experts to share their rich corporate experience. Some of them are Tom Peters, Kenichi Ohmae, Steven Covey, Philip Kotler, Dr. Robert Kaplan… You, as a student of Amity, can get a chance to get a first hand account of prevalent international corporate practices and industry trends during these events.

Distance Learning is for everyone People from different walks of life, including corporate professionals, homemakers, public sector employees, army officers, doctors, lawyers...have pursued or are pursuing Amity's Distance Learning Programmes.

For Army Personnel ASoDL has helped me to continue with my studies and has enhanced my management skills despite my frequent postings. "ASoDL Professional Studies Programmes are highly practical for Army Officers who aspire for a professional career after service. Extended validity period and easy study material allowed me to pursue my studies irrespective of frequently changed postings." Lt. Col. Sandeep Bhardwaj, Danapur Cantt, Bihar

For Bureaucrats ASoDL has given me a better perspective of the changing management environment of governance in India. In today's performance driven working environment, even Public Sector organisations are changing rapidly. They demand the same amount of skills and competence levels, that a corporate requires. ASoDL helped me gain a better perspective of the changing environment. It raised my performance level manifolds and put me in a leadership position to take up new challenges easily." Ajai Singh (IPS, 1972 Batch) IGP (Training), Uttar Pradesh

For Entertainment Industry Professionals Distance Learning was the only way I could have pursued higher education along with my demanding career. "The glamour industry is highly demanding. Frequent traveling, long shifts and work commitment hardly gives me time to pursue regular studies. Thanks to ASoDL, I completed my studies while following a tight schedule." Ms. Divya Chauhan Former Femina Miss India, Asia Pacific (1997)

For Doctors At senior positions in my profession, it is as important to be a good manager as being a good doctor. "After the entry of corporates in the Medical field, the matrix of the industry has changed. Today to be a successful medical practitioner requires good management skills too. ASoDL helped me learn that." Dr. Harsha Jauhari, M.S., F.R.C.S., F.I.C.S., F.A.I.S. Senior Consultant Transplant Surgeon, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital Chairman, Dept. of Renal Transplant Surgery

For Corporate Professionals Leadership can only be retained by learning... Amity's Distance Learning Programme helped me learn that lesson. "Leading continuously is not easy without expanding one's knowledge base. ASoDL has really helped me in keeping abreast with the latest management theories and putting them in practice."

Distance Learning from School of Open Learning (SOL), Delhi University

The School of Open Learning (SOL), formerly known as the Directorate of Correspondence Courses, established under the University of Delhi in 1962, is a pioneer institution in the field of distance education in India. The country witnessed the beginning of an alternate mode of education when the school started with a modest admission of 900 students in 1962. The school enrolled more than 3.50 lakh students in the academic session 2011-2012. On many occasions students from this institution have been toppers in a range of disciplines.


The examination is also conducted by the University of Delhi. Degrees awarded to students have the DU stamp that other students of regular colleges get. In an effort to cater to the needs of a growing number of students, the school established the South Study Centre at Motibagh from the academic session 1990-1991, which has a number of students now.

Alumni Speak

This course complemented my needs: My father, an electrical contractor, had big dreams for me but was not sure about the funds to supplement his dream. But this challenge did not deter me from pursuing my graduation. And it was all possible because of the flexibility of timings which the School of Open Learning provided. I enrolled for my graduation in 2002 in the arts stream and simultaneously pursued computer courses and some part time jobs to defray my education expenses. And I must say that I never felt disadvantaged in any way in terms of not being in a full time college. The teachers were available round the clock to clear all doubts. They also helped in terms of selecting appropriate reference material. Even the administrative side of SOL is very forthcoming and helpful. There has never been an occasion when I had to run from pillar to post in search of details pertaining to fee payment, examination tickets etc. At SOL I shaped my future career goals and this was possible because of the encouragement and guidance that I received from teachers – Preeti Singh, working in an event management firm.

What’s on offer

Contact programmes

The School of Open Learning includes regular classroom lectures and discussions at various Personal Contact Programme (PCP) centres for a specified period ranging from 20 to 30 days in a year. Local students may be provided DTC destination bus pass facility only during PCP classes from their residence to the school or the south study centre and back

Material available

The syllabus for each paper is divided into a number of lessons. Lessons are prepared by experienced teachers and cover the entire course prescribed by the University of Delhi. These lessons are sent to students at regular intervals. The school is soon launching its audio visual centre

Programmes offered by SOL

The school offers courses in arts/humanities and commerce streams of study at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. The undergraduate courses are of minimum three year duration while the postgraduate courses are of minimum two year duration. The undergraduate courses include the bachelor of arts programme, bachelor of arts (honours) programme English, bachelor of arts (honours) political science, bachelor of commerce and bachelor of commerce (honours) .

Examination

The examination is conducted by the University of Delhi. The university confers the degree to the students of School of Open Learning as it does in the case of other constituent colleges.

Admissions

Students who have passed the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination of the Central Board of Education or any other examination recognised as an equivalent are eligible for admission. The admission process is governed by DU norms.

Fees (approximate)

Fee concession is granted on merit-cum-means basis. There is also a provision of financial aid to the tune of Rs. 2500 for needy and poor students.

Prospects after SOL

The opportunities in terms of careers and higher studies are the same as those for students who pursue full time courses in various Delhi University colleges.