DL in India

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kizmet, Aug 21, 2011.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    The article linked below is primarily about IGNOU, a school that comes up from time to time. One problem is that, to my knowledge, none of our members has ever enrolled in this school and so there are no signposts guiding the way for others. Most interesting is that the article lists a couple of other Indian universities that are big into DL. I've never heard of either of these schools (means nothing as I just don't know much about higher ed in India) so maybe this will give some frugal people a chance to do some research. Here it is:

    The Pioneer :: Home : >> IGNOU tops the charts
     
  2. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    IGNOU is a great DL school -at least so I hear. And all I'll ever have is hearsay info. Three problems.

    (1) They have one price list for India and the SAARC countries - and another for foreign - including US. The foreign prices are up to 40 times the domestic level. All comparative advantage disappears.

    (2) I don't think they have answered ANY foreign e-mail (including mine) in quite a few years. I have heard this from numerous others and know of no-one outside the region who has had response.

    (3) If you did enrol, exams could be a problem. Few centres outside India. Last time I looked, the closest to U.S. was in Africa. Somebody wrote in a forum that it might be possible to take exams at an Indian Embassy. I have no idea if this is true.

    Might be a great school for Indians and other South Asians to study by DL - don't think they want the rest of us at any price.

    I know nothing of the other two Universities.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2011
  3. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    I can't help wondering why we get enquiries from people in South Asia wondering if there are "super deals" on Distance Ed. outside their home market - as if North America could offer tuition prices anywhere near what they can get at home.

    IGNOU and the other Indian schools are priced for their home market -- and North America is (sort of) priced for its. I'm glad that North American education is in such high demand overseas, but prospective students who live outside the area should realize:

    (1) It can't be priced the same as their home market.
    (2) If it's not affordable -- their homeland has excellent alternatives, available at a far different price-point.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2011
  4. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 22, 2011
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I think it's probably because Western degrees are seen by many as having cachet.
     
  6. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    They were easy to talk to and very very nice! THe 40x is still not very much. I just change my mind on degrees about once a month :)
     
  7. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    The MSW aspect was very interesting and I am sure will be helpful. Would be good for you to enroll just so we can run someone up the flag pole and see how that works out.
     
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Now that I think about it - I'm sure you're right. Unfortunately, many South Asians may think the price of (genuine) North American tuition is lower than it is because of exposure to ads of:

    (1) Unscrupulous foreign (some US-based) unaccreds offering "fine US degrees," some with now long-expired State licences.

    (2) American-sounding flim-flam-versities like "Florida Green University" - a now-closed Karachi business school.

    After this kind of shenanigans by bogus operators on their home turf, it's good to know that so many people abroad still maintain a high opinion of (genuine) North American higher ed.

    Johann
     
  9. Psydoc

    Psydoc New Member

    I have sent numerous email inquiries for information on the MSW - I am interested. There have been no replies to any of my emails.
     
  10. dl_mba

    dl_mba Member

    Indians are right now fighting corruption (search: Anna Hazare). They have no time to reply any emails.
     
  11. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    I think as someone said, the best thing is to call using a calling card (someone stated they called India for a cent a minute). I have contacted government depts before and gotten no reply. I guess with a population that big, waiting for response to e-mail does not work well.

    It is a rather interesting idea to study for a doctorate from India but the logistics appear to make dealing with UNISA look like a cake walk. I did look at some open universities in India and seemed to notice with several of them that they had a mandate to serve their region and one had a research PhD program but with a preference for dealing with regional issues. This may preclude foreigners.
     
  12. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    too busy to do their jobs? you're joking, right?
     
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  14. DirkCrooks

    DirkCrooks member

    i agree with kizmet, well say... i read all above comments and post,
    get some good points, thanks everyone for your help.
     
  15. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Caution!

    The link below is a list of 90-odd Indian Universities (with sub-links to each), purportedly all approved to offer distance courses. I read (somewhere) advice that all Distance Universities and their programs must be approved by the Indian Distance Education Council, the University Grants Commission and - I'm pretty sure - IGNOU itself. You are strongly advised (by me) to check for yourself.

    The two schools that were mentioned in posts above appear on this (and the DEC List). I haven't checked the UGC site -- suggest you do. One odd thing - I did notice a couple of approved Universities on a DEC list, which are in the rather remote state of Sikkim. Last I looked, (maybe a year ago) UGC had no approved schools in this State. Maybe that's changed - but as I said - use caution. Happy hunting.

    Universities Offering Distance Education, Central Universities of Distance Education

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 29, 2011
  16. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Madurai Kamaraj University, another old DL leader from South India, recently launched their US version:
    Fee Structure
    Very affordable!!!
     
  17. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Good choice!

    Thanks, msganti! I meant to add this one yesterday (when I finally remembered the name) but I never got around to getting url. etc.

    Very convenient way of earning a degree from India, with testing centres throughout USA. Indeed, DL from a good Uni in India - and the US office does the "running around" for you. Your books, study materials etc. go from India - to the Maryland office - thence to you.

    When you finish, your degree is from the Indian school - not Maryland - but that's exactly what we're looking for here, isn't it?

    Johann
     
  18. msganti

    msganti Active Member

    Thanks Johann...researching on this, I realized that the Maryland office is also the "USA Study Center" for two more Indian Universities - "Maharshi Dayanand University" and "Bharathiar University" (both recognized by UGC of India). Here is their website:
    THE INTERNATIONAL TAMIL UNIVERSITY, USA
    The fee structure is more or less the same for all the universities. I hope this opens more options.
     
  19. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    People here often lament the lack of options when it comes to doctoral programs in history. In addition to those three institutions, and the head of this center, Dr. Selvin Kumar, is an authorized Ph.D. supervisor for Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, which is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities.

    -=Steve=-
     
  20. Garp

    Garp Well-Known Member

    Very interesting prospect. My question is with regard to the PhD programs. When I go to the Manonmaniam site I see lots of MPhil courses offered but no mention of PhD programs. Am I looking in the wrong place? WELCOME TO MANONMANIAM SUNDARANAR UNIVERSITY TIRUNELVELI -MSU
     

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