Skip to main content

Careers360 - Think higher education! India's Best Distance Learning Institutes 2011

Careers360 - Think higher education! India's Best Distance Learning Institutes 2011
  • JUST eleven out of the top 32 institutions in the objective ranking list find a place in the perception ranking. Of the 11, seven are in the public sector and only five have substantial web presence. In fact, Sikkim Manipal alone polled about 8% of the total sample size with over 500+ unique IP addresses, showing the substantial reach technology could achieve.

    The objective data results have not changed much. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), the leviathan with 500+ programmes and 3 million plus students still retains the pole position in India’s first-ever objective rating of Distance Learning Institutes. But not so surprisingly IMT has improved its ranking in objective criterion. It has moved one level up to third position. The fact that it is a specialised institution focussed on management helped it a lot. This year with the change of guard at DEC, their database is in shambles and we could get only fresh data from 14 institutions. India has a long way to go in ensuring availability of comparable data (scroll down to view ranking methodology)

    In 2010, we examined the top institutions under three broad domains namely, Reach & Resources, Learning and Experience, and Results & Efficiency, and the Top 10 were populated by five open universities, three private players and two dual mode State-level universities. And collectively the scores show the sector needs substantial investments in all three stages, input, process and output. In 2011, we have also ranked institutes based on these parameters (scroll down to view).

    Rank
    Name of the Institution
    Location
    Resources & Reach (300)
    Learning Experience (400)
    Output (300)
    Total (1000)
    1
    Indira Gandhi National Open University
    New Delhi
    205.31
    258.12
    198.00
    661.43
    2
    Yashwantrao C. Maharashtra Open University
    Nasik
    145.20
    239.54
    233.16
    617.90
    3
    IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute
    Ghaziabad
    40.55
    285.00
    258.14
    583.69
    4
    Sikkim Manipal University
    Gangtok
    65.40
    279.91
    200.85
    546.16
    5
    University of Mumbai
    Mumbai
    18.04
    262.35
    256.32
    536.71
    6
    Maulana Azad National Urdu University
    Hyderabad
    59.71
    215.91
    249.17
    524.79
    7
    Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Open University
    Hyderabad
    81.27
    210.00
    229.46
    520.72
    8
    Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
    Pune
    31.98
    240.00
    235.50
    507.48
    9
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
    Ahmedabad
    31.66
    220.80
    246.23
    498.68
    10
    Annamalai University
    Annamalainagar
    93.20
    195.00
    206.00
    494.20
    11
    Netaji Subhas Open University
    Kolkata
    39.18
    240.00
    206.28
    485.46
    12
    Osmania University
    Hyderabad
    12.27
    210.00
    243.57
    465.83
    13
    Shivaji University
    Kolhapur
    28.03
    175.00
    251.86
    454.89
    14
    M.P. Bhoj (Open) University
    Bhopal
    48.27
    237.89
    163.70
    449.86
    15
    Maharishi Dayanand University
    Rohtak
    28.11
    195.00
    221.23
    444.34
    16
    University of Delhi
    New Delhi
    66.94
    220.00
    135.11
    422.05
    17
    Acharya Nagarjuna University
    Guntur
    36.37
    215.00
    165.52
    416.89
    18
    SNDT - Women's University
    Mumbai
    8.57
    170.00
    225.65
    404.22
    19
    Alagappa University
    Karaikudi
    32.09
    235.00
    123.63
    390.72
    20
    Andhra University
    Visakhapatnam
    28.08
    175.16
    168.37
    371.61
    21
    University of Madras
    Chennai
    30.62
    210.00
    122.59
    363.22
    22
    Himachal Pradesh University
    Shimla
    44.43
    185.00
    129.58
    359.01
    23
    U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University
    Allahabad
    93.33
    157.12
    107.64
    358.09
    24
    Tamil Nadu Open University
    Chennai
    54.24
    145.09
    153.90
    353.22
    25
    Karnataka State Open University
    Mysore
    53.03
    241.13
    48.93
    343.10
    26
    Madurai Kamaraj University
    Madurai
    36.93
    175.00
    115.91
    327.84
    27
    VMOU, Open University, Kota
    Kota
    38.11
    150.00
    115.62
    303.72
    28
    Uttarakhand Open University
    Haldwani
    63.14
    135.14
    58.86
    257.14
    29
    Kurukshetra University
    Kurukshetra
    21.46
    105.00
    81.59
    208.05
    30
    University of Calicut
    Kozhikode
    15.39
    115.00
    63.86
    194.25
    31
    Nalanda Open University
    Patna
    61.24
    70.00
    48.86
    180.10
    32
    Kakatiya University
    Warangal
    28.02
    37.61
    97.80
    163.44

    Resources and Reach
    Rank
    University
    1
    Indira Gandhi National Open University
    2
    Yashwantrao C. Maharashtra Open University
    3
    U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University
    4
    Annamalai University
    5
    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University
    6
    University of Delhi
    7
    Sikkim Manipal University
    8
    Uttarakhand Open University
    9
    Nalanda Open University
    10
    Maulana Azad National Urdu University
    11
    Tamil Nadu Open University
    12
    Karnataka State Open University
    13
    M.P. Bhoj (Open) University
    14
    Himachal Pradesh University
    15
    IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute
    16
    Netaji Subhas Open University
    17
    VMOU, Open University, Kota
    18
    Madurai Kamaraj University
    19
    Acharya Nagarjuna University
    20
    Alagappa University
    21
    Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
    22
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
    23
    University of Madras
    24
    Maharishi Dayanand University
    25
    Andhra University
    26
    Shivaji University
    27
    Kakatiya University
    28
    Kurukshetra University
    29
    University of Mumbai
    30
    University of Calicut
    31
    Osmania University
    32
    SNDT - Women's University
    Learning Experience
    Rank
    University
    1
    IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute
    2
    Sikkim Manipal University
    3
    University of Mumbai
    4
    Indira Gandhi National Open University
    5
    Karnataka State Open University
    6
    Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
    7
    Netaji Subhas Open University
    8
    Yashwantrao C. Maharashtra Open University
    9
    M.P. Bhoj (Open) University
    10
    Alagappa University
    11
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
    12
    University of Delhi
    13
    Maulana Azad National Urdu University
    14
    Acharya Nagarjuna University
    15
    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University
    16
    Osmania University
    17
    University of Madras
    18
    Annamalai University
    19
    Maharishi Dayanand University
    20
    Himachal Pradesh University
    21
    Andhra University
    22
    Shivaji University
    23
    Madurai Kamaraj University
    24
    SNDT - Women's University
    25
    U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University
    26
    VMOU, Open University, Kota
    27
    Tamil Nadu Open University
    28
    Uttarakhand Open University
    29
    University of Calicut
    30
    Kurukshetra University
    31
    Nalanda Open University
    32
    Kakatiya University
    Output
    Rank
    University
    1
    IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute
    2
    University of Mumbai
    3
    Shivaji University
    4
    Maulana Azad National Urdu University
    5
    Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
    6
    Osmania University
    7
    Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
    8
    Yashwantrao C. Maharshtra Open University
    9
    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University
    10
    SNDT - Women's University
    11
    Maharishi Dayanand University
    12
    Netaji Subhas Open University
    13
    Annamalai University
    14
    Sikkim Manipal University
    15
    Indira Gandhi National Open University
    16
    Andhra University
    17
    Acharya Nagarjuna University
    18
    M.P. Bhoj (Open) University
    19
    Tamil Nadu Open University
    20
    University of Delhi
    21
    Himachal Pradesh University
    22
    Alagappa University
    23
    University of Madras
    24
    Madurai Kamaraj University
    25
    VMOU, Open University, Kota
    26
    U.P. Rajarshi Tandon Open University
    27
    Kakatiya University
    28
    Kurukshetra University
    29
    University of Calicut
    30
    Uttarakhand Open University
    31
    Karnataka State Open University
    32
    Nalanda Open University
    Input (Resources & Reach)
    300
    No. of faculty (full-time)/total students on rolls
    50
    No. of academic counsellors/total students on rolls
    25
    Number of study centres/total students on rolls
    50
    Number of course offerings
    50
    Current Enrolment
    50
    Active Enrolment/years in existence
    75
    Process (Learning & Experience)
    400
    Quality of Course material (also based on recognition or accreditation by external agencies)
    100
    E-learning platform (presence/absence)
    25
    Quality of e-platform (verification by testing)
    50
    Telephone counselling availability
    (including effective Toll-free No.)
    50
    Audio Visual-based course materials (absence/presence)
    10
    Quantum of AV study material created
    40
    Exam schedule
    25
    Responsiveness (student friendliness & forthcoming)
    50
    Contact Classes
    50
    OUTPUT (Result & efficiency)
    300
    Pass ratio
    200
    Transparency
    50
    Unique Features/Special Projects/Awards
    50
    Total
    1000
    METHODOLOGY
    The Universe for Open and Distance Learning Institutes (ODLIs) in India comprises 249 institutes, out of which 188 institutes are currently offering Distance Education Programmes. Given the nature of operations of ODLIs and the lack of adequate data with the Distance Education Council (DEC) as also in the public domain, shortlisting of top 50 institutions was done even this year on the basis of student enrolment data.

    The logic being the popularity of the institutions, on the basis of their admissions. Careers360 then sent letters to these 50 institutions and based on the responses received from the institute as well as the data supplied by DEC, 32 institutes were finally chosen for ranking purpose. Further, visits were made to all the institutes that responded as well as to select study centres of others to build a robust database.

    The input primarily looked at the reach, infrastructure and diversity of the institutions in providing distance education. The process emphasised on the quality of resources and delivery mechanism, while output focused on the performance of the institute in facilitating the trained student in getting a better prospect.
    The parameters and the weights are as follows:
    For the first time, we also brought out a perception-based ranking for DL institutes. Careers360 in association with Yahoo! India spearheaded the huge exercise that involved collating data on all the existing DL institutions with its attendant difficulties, as well as managing the online survey.READ MORE!


    (The research and reporting team was led by Nitin Jindal and included Tanmay Perti, Pooja Mishra, and Nirmesh Srivastava. We place on record our thanks to the team at Yahoo! India who hosted the survey link on their site and ensured substantial participation of students)


Comments

Readers Choice

Lead Your Team Into a Post-Pandemic World

During the Covid-19 crisis, I’ve spoken with many CEOs who have shared that a key priority for them, naturally, has been the safety and well-being of their employees. And there are many examples of inspiring actions taken by CEOs and companies in support of their employees. But as we’ve come to recognize that this crisis will last more than a few short weeks, companies are now defining their approach for the long haul. I’ve seen two crucial ideas take hold with corporate leaders. One: Given the magnitude of the shock and the challenges that this crisis represents, companies must consider the full breadth of their employees’ needs as people. Safety is essential, of course, but it’s also important to address higher-level needs such as the want for truth, stability, authentic connections, self-esteem, growth, and meaning in the context of the crisis. Two: Many CEOs have begun thinking about this crisis in three phases. They may assign different names or specific lengths to t

4 Ways Google Search Can Help You Achieve Your Marketing Goals

Google Ads Google Ad extensions are a great way to add key descriptive text without taking up space in your actual ad and improve your quality score for even better results. It’s a win-win right? Google Maps Is your business discoverable on Google Maps? For small businesses, adding detailed information and the use of strategic keywords can be helpful for a better location optimization. Google Ranks SEO is vital for moving up in Google rankings. To climb up the ladder, incorporate top keywords in page titles, meta tags and focus on consistently delivering relevant content. Backlinking If SEO is the the only strategy you have, it is the right time to change that. Start adding backlinks to your content. Quality backlinks can further increase your brand authority. 

Twenty Smart Business Buzzwords

Some words may grate on your nerves, but business leaders are still using "disrupt," "synergy" and "ideate." You should too. Spend any amount of time in a corporate environment and you'll likely notice there are some words that seem to come up on a daily basis. Certain verbiage becomes part of the  corporate culture  and soon, you may feel as if you need to use it to fit in. While they can change from one day to the next, most corporate buzzwords have a positive meaning. They're used to boost morale and motivate everyone involved in the conversation. Here are 20 of the top business buzzwords that you should make an effort to work into your vocabulary. 1. Impact Impact is a powerful word that has become a favorite of business professionals.  Grammarians argue  that the word is being used improperly, urging you to use "affect" instead, but businesses love it. 2. Corporate Synergy Half of the people who use this term likely