Once in a while comes about an institution that believes in trudging along the path to the unknown and in its endeavor to do so breaks away from the tried and tested creating new boundaries of excellence. Sikkim Manipal University Distance Education is one such institute. Conceived as the first PPP model coming out of Northeast India and born out of a unique partnership between Manipal Education and Govt. of Sikkim in 1995, SMU-DE has since revolutionised not just the domain of distance learning but has also brought about a new era of practical industry oriented teaching.

In a country where since decades theory based education has been given sole importance as the world moved ahead of us, the approach by SMU-DE turned out to be a much needed shot of life improving vaccine. So heavily has our education system relied on theory that once the much famed IITs, recognized among the top 10 educational institutes in the world now fail to locate themselves even among the top 50. But the road for SMU-DE has not been smooth. After all, decades of habit had seeped deep into the veins of the education sector. But perseverance, patience and excellence over the last 15 years is now beginning to yield results. A testimony to the grit and vision of this pioneering institution.

SMU-DE is now the best distance education institute in India in terms of teaching efficiency and achieving results. The rankings out in the Hindustan Times also puts SMUDE as the third best distance learning institute in the country and the only one among the top three which is not an open university. ‘It’s a PPP model that works’ screamed an headline on another page of the Careers 360 magazine, indicating the path travelled by SMU-DE over the years.

Today SMU-DE offers more than 40 courses in 11 disciples spread across Management, Hospitality, IT, Telecom, Commerce, Journalism, Fashion Designing, Networking, Health Sciences and Biotechnology. Supported by 6,500 faculty and 65 core faculty, a network of 325 University Recognized Learning centers spread across 310 towns and an alumni base of 3 lakhs, it would easily have one the best prize if there was one for the quickest growing institute in India. The institute has also excelled in the integration of technology with education through its introduction of EduNxt, this multi award winning Internet based Learning Platform allows students to access faculty mentors, industry experts, counseling, virtual classrooms, self-learning materials and over a million journals over the Internet. Mock tests, videos, presentations and case studies are updated real time on this platform helping students to stay in sync with the industry. All this can be done 24×7 helping students to plan their studies beforehand. Moreover students can collaborate with their classmates and lectures on projects and assignments by just being on the web.

Any other institute in this position would have probably reached its burnout stage by now. But SMU-DE is in a different league. Its hunger for excellence and its constant endeavor to ensure education for all sees it launch a minimum of 1 new course every year, year on end. Along with new initiatives to increase its efficiency, reach and resources, SMU-DE has won the hearts of top corporate firms and its mentors. SMU-DE students work for the best public and private companies like Infosys, Wipro, Microsoft, IBM, HCL, Dabur, ICICI Bank.

SMU-DE is a vital cog in the wheel of India’s aim to achieve maximum literacy levels by 2020. A fact reiterated by the HRD Minister himself when he mentioned the importance of distance learning institutes vis a vis Indian literacy levels. The future too seems brighter than ever before. With the corporate world wanting only work ready skill oriented professionals from the first day itself and the spread of Internet in the Indian society, SMU-DE stands as the only institute which believes and practices in both of them. Over the coming years one would see SMU-DE scaling new heights, widening its resources and base and eventually creating the unknown path that it set out for so that others can follow.

SMU-DE course in media nurtures future professionals in communication and journalism

Often referred to as the fourth estate of democracy, media has grown enormously both in power and social influence to live up to its billing. Post the opening up of markets India has seen a sizeable growth in terms of media. Introduction of foreign news channels due to mergers and collaboration, growth in the number of newspapers and magazines in the country and the introduction of investigative & sensational journalism as a means of garnering TRPs has been some of the noticeable changes. About 45,000 newspapers, journals and periodicals are now brought out in 105 languages and dialects. All India Radio runs 195 radio stations and has 302 transmitters. In addition a host of private players are also present on radio as well as dozens of news channels in regional as well as national language. It is a blooming field with host of opportunities, challenges and power.

What makes a career in media even more interesting is its variety of options. Photographers, script writers, copy writers, creative writers, public relations analysts, event managers and critics come under its purview. However for a successful career in this field, one needs to pursue a career oriented course in which there is exposure to the broad spectrum of journalism as well as skill training as needed by the industry. Moreover scope for internships and work is extremely vital as it adds value and experience to your CV. Sikkim Manipal University Distance Education (SMU-DE) is one institute which understands the needs of the industry and is offering 2 career oriented courses: BA in Journalism & Mass Communication (BAJM) and MA in Journalism & Mass Communication (MAJM). Moreover SMU-DE encourages its students to work while they study unlike regular colleges.

Making this possible and easy is the multi award winning learning system EduNxt which allows students to study according to their needs. This virtual learning platform is available for all SMU-DE students over the Internet. EduNxt allows students to access faculty mentors, industry experts, counseling, virtual classrooms, self-learning materials and over a million journals. Mock tests, videos, presentations and case studies are updated real time on this platform helping students to stay in sync with the industry. All this at one’s own time and pace thereby providing students ample time to plan and schedule their studies.

The curriculum has been prepared and frequently reviewed by the in-house university faculty and industry based professionals. Soft skills, communication techniques and practical aspects of journalism form a major part of the course. This practical approach of journalism and media studies has helped SMU-DE students achieve ready acceptance in the industry. With the added advantage of working while studying, SMU-DE students have always stayed ahead of competition framing their own career path to success.

The media scenario in India is getting bigger in the coming years with close to 20 news channels in the offing. Close on its heels is the increasing globalization of Bollywood and industrial growth across all verticals. All of this presents wide array of opportunities related to the journalism field. At SMU-DE, we train students to be job ready and equip them to be able to face challenges going forward. Enroll today into SMU-DE and give your career the boost it deserves. Get a degree that really works.
For more information visit http://www.smude.edu.in/BAJM or call on 1800 266 7979 (Toll free).

Bangalore, Tuesday April 20, 2010: SMU-DE, one of the largest providers of Distance Education in India, will be closing their admissions on April 27 for the Spring 2010 season. So with just one more week to go, its time to hurry up for those who are yet to apply. Applications to various courses are available at over 710+ SMU-DE Learning Centres covering 310 cities across India. For details, log on to www.smude.edu.in or Call: 1800 266 7979 (toll free). Or feel free to write to us at [email protected] and we will get back to you at the earliest.

The University offers Post Graduate, Graduate, Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma programs across 10 disciplines mentored by the best of faculty and industry experts. The disciplines include Allied Health Sciences, IT, Mass Communication & Journalism, Biotechnology, Apparel & Fashion Designing, Hospitality, Telecom Technology, Commerce and Management. In addition, SMU-DE has recently launched new and advanced specializations in Total Quality Management, Operations Management and Project Management for its MBA program.

Aspirants enrolling for this session (and onwards) will also stand to gain through the newly launched next generation learning system ‘EduNxt’ accessible via internet. EduNxt with its flexibility, convenience and accessibility offers a first of its kind learning environment in India that bridges constraints of time and space. With EduNxt one can do small group mentoring, access virtual classrooms, simulation and other interactive content, self-study content, recorded presentations and shared browsing. EduNxt empowers students with anywhere, anytime access. Students will now experience a ‘portable campus’, ‘carry along mentors’ and will have access to over one million online books and journals – all at their fingertips at all times!

Additionally, SMU-DE grants lateral entry to those with managerial experience. Under the Lateral Entry scheme, the first semester is waived, allowing for faster completion of the course. The SMU-DE programmes combine academic rigour with personalized learning environment so working professionals who are short of time but not ambition, take that crucial step to a great career that will only enhance one’s career opportunities in the longer run.

SMU-DE is recognised & appreciated by students for its efficient processes like – prompt delivery of study materials to students, conduct of scheduled examinations, on-time declaration of results & swift dispatch of certificates & degrees. Our students number more than 3,00,000 across 52 countries is a strong testimony to the success of our program.

For details on admission, visit http://mba.smude.edu.in/

About SMU-DE

Sikkim Manipal University is a unique public-private initiative between the Govt. of Sikkim and Manipal Education. SMU, a state University, is recognized by the UGC, Ministry of HRD and is a member of the Associations of Indian Universities. The Distance Education Council has granted recognition to all Distance Education programs offered under the aegis of SMU (Sikkim Manipal University). The SMU Directorate of Distance Education is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

About Manipal Education

Manipal Education is a pioneering and leading academic & education services provider in India. With over 50 years of steadfast focus in the field of Education, the group provides education services across all genres. The group’s presence includes 3 universities – Manipal University, Sikkim Manipal University, and American University of Antigua – and over 30 institutions in India, besides colleges & campuses in Antigua, Dubai, Malaysia & Nepal.

In addition to formal university programmes delivered through 5 campuses in India & 4 overseas, Manipal Education also has a range of education offerings in Distance Education, Professional & Skills Education across multiple genres, as well as industry leading partnerships such as the ICICI Manipal Academy for Banking (in association with ICICI Bank).

Distributed Education: Learning and Beyond

Thimmiya A.M/01 April 2010
Manipal Education provides with a service of distance education. Can you tell us about the importance of distance learning and skills education?

Present day distance learning is based on ideology of creating and building on human capital. It has moved to another level altogether with the objective of creating a substantial work force that can aid in raising the economy of a country to newer heights. The former is supportive of what is known as the ‘Earn & Learn’ model. This model enables people who are already in jobs or people who want to get into jobs, to avail educational opportunities, whereby they can learn the fundamentals of a particular skill and gather knowledge from hands-on practice with certification. Scope of vocational training is now being realized at a wide scale. This is applicable right from 10+2 level to Post Graduation. There is provision of scalability in between employment. ODL programmes help in enhancing career profiles. Sikkim Manipal University’s Distance Education (SMU-DE) programme has enabled over 3 lac students to take a crucial step to a great career through industry-ready curriculum taught by  6,500+ mentors at over 700+ authorised learning centres

What are the challenges in the field of distance education?

Rather than a specific challenge, be it across – distance education or campus education – is employment versus employability. The biggest challenge is whether people today fit into their work spaces or not. I think the challenge that organizations face is that they need people firstly and with full productivity.  Gone were the days when they could hire people, put them for induction for years, and then get productivity out of them. So they need people on priority basis who can give immediate productivity.

So largely, distance education appeals to people who are working. So they bring with them their experience; that exposure of the practical work and the course is also laid out in such a manner that it helps them optimise their productivity. Our courses are also geared to meet the challenges. We have, in our own way, tried to design the curriculum to include a lot of practical experiences, presenting real-life situations so that candidates are more competent. In formal learning streams, all subjects are not possible to find, and that is why distance learning education opens doors to different courses.

What is your understanding of the eLearning scenario w.r.t distance education?

ELearning is basically seeing a paradigm shift. From Teacher–centric to Learner-centric in both campus and distance education. We have come up with initiatives like EduNxt, which is collaborative learning – and which addresses the issues of teacher and student-centric learning. Earlier in teacher-centric mode, the teacher would come teach and go, and students would also go back home and learn from what the teacher had taught. So answers that were taught were the ones gathered, while in a learner centric mode, a student can browse for information, and gather as much information as the student wants. The challenge equally exists for the teacher fraternity, with technology that has come to stay. Everything and every information is available flexibly anywhere, at any time. SMU-DE’s pioneering effort, the EduNxt programme, was honoured with the Digital Learning India Award for the ICT-Enabled University of the Year 2009. EduNxt is a multiple award-winning, government and industry-endorsed delivery system available to SMU-DE students

What are the kind of support does an education service provider like yourself, expect of the government?

I think support isn’t the correct thing that we seek; it is the clarity that we want. I think if rules and regulations are not opaque or grey, and there is a clear cut policy and framework of what can be and what cannot be done with no ambiguity, but keeping in view all the aspirations and flexibility, it’s good enough. The rules that are rigid are not helpful. Inclusiveness and expansion are two things that are to be implemented, if you need to proceed with any action in relation to above.

What do you opine of PPP, especially, when people mostly see it as a profiteering collaboration for the private sector?

You listen to any world leader, from developed or a developing country, you will find two important pegs in that, one is education and health. We at Manipal Education, ever since inception 57 years back we have dedicated ourselves to education and health. We did not enter this sector because of the commercial aspect.

The amount of investment we made, that people asked us not to for various reasons, was made for a cause not profit. And distance education is a cause to support increase in GER.

Even the courses that we initially started were designed to provide customized and professional education to the masses, as well as to help the existing professional sector.

What is EduNxt: http://www.smude.edu.in/EduNxt/Pages/WhatisEduNxt.aspx

FAQs on Technology Infused Pedagogy: http://www.smude.edu.in/FAQs/Pages/EduNxt.aspx

Sikkim Manipal University’s Distance Education (SMU-DE) programme has been at the forefront of delivering quality education through over 700 learning centres across 310 towns in India. Qualified academic counsellors at the SMU-DE authorised learning centres clarify doubts and mentor over 2 lac students across the country, even in its remotest parts!

As a pioneering institution in the distance education space, SMU-DE constantly innovates on its delivery systems. With EduNxt, its award-winning technology-infused delivery system, SMU-DE has established a collaborative and interactive environment that benefits students and counsellors alike.

EduNxt is an important way of training SMU-DE students – the future building blocks of Indian corporate world – to become integrated into the modern workplace. It is also a very important tool for imparting consistent quality to an academic counsellor’s delivery.

EduNxt certified academic counsellors use EduNxt to:

• Orient students in EduNxt and its study benefits
• Train  other academic counsellors for their own certification

The training is divided into Levels I & II. At the end of the training session, both the certified Academic Counsellors and the trainee counsellors receive EduNxt certification.

On the 31^st March, 2010, Bangalore’s Sidvin School of Business, an authorised SMU-DE learning centre, conducted an EduNxt training-cum-orientation session for its students where Ms. Sunitha Reddy and Ms. Vanishree Raghavendra (both of whom are EduNxt level II certified faculty members themselves) trained 15 students.

This is a perfect example of training the trainer and passing along the substantial technological and research benefits of a heritage institution down to the students. SMU-DE has always been committed to quality education and keeps up its promise to both students and counsellors.

For more details please visit:- http://www.smude.edu.in.

What is SMU-DE?

Sikkim Manipal University’s Distance Education (SMU-DE) programme has more than 80, 000 students taking Management courses. SMU-DE offers Post-graduate and graduate Degree and Diploma programs across 10 disciplines. The programmes offered by SMU-DE are recognized by the Distance Education Council (DEC) of the Government of India for three academic years 2009 – 2112.

Bangalore, Wednesday January 15^th 2010: SMU-DE, one of the largest providers of Distance Education in India, has announced the opening of admissions to their February 2010 session. Applications to various courses are available at over 710+ SMU-DE Learning Centres covering 310 cities across India. For details, log on to www.smude.edu.in or Call: 18002667788 (toll free) or SMS to SMUDE <Name> to 5667755. Or write us at [email protected]

The University offers Post Graduate, Graduate, Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma programs across 10 disciplines. The disciplines include Allied Health, IT, Mass Communication, Biotechnology, Apparel & Fashion Design, Hospitality, Telecom Technology, Commerce, Management and Journalism . In addition, SMU-DE has recently launched new and advanced specializations in Total Quality Management, Operations Management and Project Management for its MBA program.

Aspirants enrolling for the February session (and onwards) will also stand to gain through the newly launched next generation learning system ‘EduNxt’ accessible via internet. EduNxt with its flexibility, convenience and accessibility offers a first of its kind learning environment in India. EduNxt enables includes small group mentoring, virtual classrooms, simulation and other interactive content, self-study content, recorded presentations and shared browsing. EduNxt empowers students with anywhere, anytime access. Students will now experience a ‘portable campus’, ‘carry along mentors’ and will have access to over one million online books and journals – all at their fingertips!

Additionally, SMU-DE grants lateral entry to those with managerial experience. Under the Lateral Entry scheme, the first semester is waived, allowing for faster completion of the course. The SMU-DE programmes combine academic rigour with personalized learning environment so working professionals who are short of time but not ambition, take that crucial step to a great career.

SMU-DE is recognised & appreciated by students for its efficient processes like – prompt delivery of study materials to students, conduct of scheduled examinations, on-time declaration of results & swift dispatch of certificates & degrees.

For details on admission , visit http://www.smude.edu.in/spring2010_MBA/

About SMU-DE

Sikkim Manipal University is a unique public-private initiative between the Govt. of Sikkim and Manipal Education. SMU, a state University, is recognized by the UGC, Ministry of HRD and is a member of the Associations of Indian Universities. The Distance Education Council has granted recognition to all Distance Education programs offered under the aegis of SMU (Sikkim Manipal University). The SMU Directorate of Distance Education is ISO 9001:2000 certified.

About Manipal Education

Manipal Education is a pioneering and leading academic & education services provider in India. With over 50 years of steadfast focus in the field of Education, the group provides education services across all genres. The group’s presence includes 3 universities – Manipal University, Sikkim Manipal University, and American University of Antigua – and over 30 institutions in India, besides colleges & campuses in Antigua, Dubai, Malaysia & Nepal.

In addition to formal university programmes delivered through 5 campuses in India & 4 overseas, Manipal Education also has a range of education offerings in Distance Education, Professional & Skills Education across multiple genres, as well as industry leading partnerships such as the ICICI Manipal Academy for Banking (in association with ICICI Bank).

• The SMU-DE February 2010 admissions targets aspirants for both UG and PG programs across Management & Commerce, Information Technology, Vocational Sciences and Allied Health
• Application forms available at over 700+ learning centres covering 310 cities in the country
• SMU-DE courses are offered in a flexible format inclusive of self learning material, counselling at learning centres & through EduNxt,  a next generation technology infused learning system accessible via internet
• SMU-DE courses are DEC Approved, UGC Recognised & ISO 9001:2000 certified
• For details log on to http: www.smude.edu.in or Call: 18002667788 (toll free) or SMS to SMUDE <Name> to 5667755. Write us at [email protected]