22, Aug 2011

The Karnatak University-Dharwad (KUD) recently decided to remove restrictions that prevent PG students from simultaneously pursuing value-added courses offered by open universities. The change is a good sign and it is going to help the students in many ways. The decision has been appreciated in both academic and student circles alike since it is going to better equip students to compete in the job market.

The KUD vice chancellor, H.B. Walikar, explains that the university took this decision in response to the need of the hour and keeping in mind the larger interest of the students. The university guidelines did not permit students pursuing value-added courses offered by other universities—the two exceptions being Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) and the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU)—though the students could join courses offered by the KUD itself.

Many universities have not succeeded in introducing value-added courses for various reasons. Hence, it is only wise to allow the students to pursue such courses from the open universities simultaneously.

In the recent past the trend of students opting for diploma courses concurrent to the main course has been increasing. These courses help the students, mainly from the arts stream, to get jobs in specific fields. For instance, a postgraduate in economics would have better chances of getting selected if he had additional qualification in marketing management. Similarly, an MBA graduate with diploma in financial management or a postgraduate in mathematics and physics with a PGDCA would have better opportunities than those without additional qualifications.

KUD has also decided to provide space for IGNOU and KSOU to open their centers on its campus to encourage more students go for value-added courses. However, the enrolling students have to make arrangements on their own in case the examination dates of both the varsities clash.