UGC grants Rs 1 crore aid to Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University

NEW DELHI: The University Grants Commission (UGC) has sanctioned Rs 1 crore grant-in-aid for Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University (JGND PSOU), Patiala. It is one of the 14 state open universities in India.

The ministry of education’s department of higher education said that the grant was awarded for development under the “Assistance to IGNOU & SOUs” budget head.

Jagat Guru Nanak Dev Punjab State Open University vice-chancellor Karamjeet Singh said: “Punjab State Open University is one of the nine State Open Universites (SOUs) across India being benefited by UGC’s special grant. This grant will strengthen the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system of the beneficiaries. The sanctioned amount will be utilized for developing MOOCs, course material, ICT, Quality Assurance Measures and Networking of Distance Education system.”

“Specifically designated for academic development, this grant will enable JGND PSOU to provide the best of education to the learners,” he added.

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The university offers postgraduate (PG), undergraduate (UG) programmes and certificate courses in two admission cycles in January and July. The university said that it has implemented special schemes of the UGC for employees, teachers and Divyangjan and jail inmates (Sikhyadaat).

The UGC provides financial assistance to 131 state universities and about 6,000 colleges affiliated to various state universities which are declared fit to receive central assistance, the official guidelines reads.

The grant is offered to improve teaching and learning processes in the universities. The aid can also be used to buy equipment like generators, inverters, laboratory equipment, smart board, refrigerator, audio-visual equipment. The ceiling of grant for universities is Rs 1 crore and for colleges it is Rs 25 lakh.