The Nalanda Open University is the only University in the State of Bihar meant for imparting learning exclusively through the system of distance education. The University was established in March, 1987 by an ordinance, promulgated by the Government of Bihar. Later, Nalanda Open University Act, 1995 was passes by the Bihar Legislature, replacing the Ordinance, and the University came under the authority and jurisdiction of the new Act automatically. The University is named after the famous Nalanda University of Ancient India.
At present, the University is functioning from its camp office at Biscomaun Bhawan, 2nd and 3rd Floors, Patna 800 001. The University has established at its camp office at Patna a well equipped and fully automated modern office in an area of approximately 30,000 sq. feet, which houses an examination centre for about 550 students, a state of the art Library with about 30,000 titles and a computer laboratory of about 40 IBM Pentium-4 computers, apart from administrative offices and other infra-structures. The University is recognised by the Distance Education Council (DEC), University Grants Commission, and Ministry of HRD, Government of India for imparting education through distance mode.
Towards the Southeast of Patna, the Capital City of Bihar State in India, is a village called the 'Bada Gaon', in the vicinity of which, are the world famous ruins of Nalanda University. Founded in the 5th Century A.D., Nalanda is known as the ancient seat of learning. 2,000 Teachers and 10,000 Students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied at Nalanda, the first Residential International University of the World. A walk in the ruins of the university, takes you to an era, that saw India leading in imparting knowledge, to the world - the era when India was a coveted place for studies. The University flourished during the 5th and 12th century.
Although Nalanda is one of the places distinguished as having been blessed by the presence of the Buddha, it later became particularly renowned as the site of the great monastic university of the same name , which was to become the crown jewel of the development of Buddhism in India. The name may derive from one of Shakyamun's former births , when hewas a king whose capital was here. Nalanda was one of his epithets meaning "insatiable in giving."
These details are retrieved from www.nalandaopenuniversity.com
Mission & Vision
Aims & objectives:
To Provide educational opportunities to those who are unable to take up formal education and are still desirous to upgrade their educational qualifications and acquire knowledge in various fields of learning through the print medium (correspondence course), contact programmes, study centres and mass media.
To provide flexibility in matters of eligibility for enrolment for higher education, age of entry, choice of course, methods of learning, conduct of examination and operation of programmes.
To offer degree and diploma courses and to make provision for research for advancement and dissimination of knowledge.
To provide special facilities to groups like, elderly people, in-service personnel, housewives, people living in remote areas, socially disadvantaged people of the society and all others who wish to upgrade their skill and acquire higher academic qualification through distance education.
To lay emphasis on vocational, as well as, conventional courses, leading to award of degrees and certificates.
To create awareness for self-sufficiency and equip people with knowledge and higher qualification to enable them to become suitable for new job opportunities.
To provide course for rural, agricultural, industrial and commercial needs of people and design learning material for improving socio-economic condition of the masses.
To bring awareness in women, children and down-trodden of their social rights, duties and legal status in society.
Admission
General Instructions
Any eligible person can apply for admission in one of the courses of his choice, offered by the University. The admission from (Annexure-A) and prospectus may be obtained, on payment of Rs.150.00, from the sales counters of the University or by sending the demand draft of Rs.200 by registered post, drawn in favour of Nalanda Open University. No money order or postal order is accepted. The demand draft must be made in the name of Nalanda Open University payable at Patna. The sales counters of the University function on all working days from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.
The admission form, supported by the photo copy of the following documents, must reach the Registrar, Nalanda Open University, 3rd Floor, Biscoumann Bhawan, Patna 800 001, Bihar, before the last date for submission of form, either personally or by registered post.
Document required with the admission form :
1. Photocopy of the mark sheet of the qualifying examination, which has been prescribed as eligibility condition by the University for getting admission in the desired course and certificate of marticulation.
2. Caste certificate, issued by DM/DC/SDO or any other person authorised to issue such Certificate for SC/ST/BC/OBC candidates, seeking admission on reserved quota.
Things to be kept in mind :
* Original documents (marks sheet of qualifying examination and certificate of marticulation exam). The original document will be returned to the candidate immediately after verification and comparison with the attested photocopy submitted by the candidate and the attested photocopy of the document will be kept by the University for record. A verification fee of Rs.100 per candidate will be charged by the University, for which a valid receipt will be issued by the University authorities to the concerned candidates.
* Three self addresses envelops of size 10x4.5 inch each. One ticket-size photograph will be affixed on the admission form at the space provided. Another photograph will be pasted on the identity card and the third will be required for identity card register. All the three photographs must be attested by a competent authority. Candidates are required to write their name on the reverse of the unpasted photographs.
*The candidate selected for admission must pay the required charges in full at the time of admission, including examination fee given in Annexture-I. The payment must be made through demand draft in favour of Nalanda Open University, payable at Patna.
*25% fee concession to Woman seeking admission in any course in 2008.
*On the reverse side of the Demand Draft, the candidate must write his/her name, admission form number and the name of the course he has applied for.
*Candidates are advised to retain photocopy of the demand draft for their own record.