The Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, is the second institute in the country that was set up with the idea of imparting education in distance mode to students who cannot afford regular education. It came into existence in March 1968 as the Directorate of Correspondence Courses and became Department of Correspondence Courses in 1988 and was renamed as the Department of Distance Education in 2009. This department was the first in India which started Punjabi as medium of instruction and examination. All the courses of the department have been recognised by the Distance Education Council.

Professor Bakhshish Singh, a prominent figure in the field of distance education in India and abroad, was the first director of the department. Currently, the department is being run under the dynamic leadership of Professor Tejinder Kaur. The faculty of the department comprises 17 professors, five associate professors and 36 assistant professors.

On offer here are 47 multi-faculty inter-disciplinary courses, out of which there are six undergraduate degree courses and 16 diploma and certificate courses. Computer applications is offered as one of the elective subjects in the BA programme. Students also have access to counselling and consultancy services regarding admissions to various courses of the department through PCPs/radio broadcasts/ phone-in-counselling programmes and direct telephone service.

The study material is written in self instructional mode (SIM). Other facilites include a well-stocked library with a spacious reading hall offering journals, magazines, books and other reading material. The department has a well-maintained multimedia and computer lab that is Wi-Fi connected. About 10,000 students enrol each year at the department. The syllabi are also updated keeping in view the guidelines issued by the UGC/AICTE/NCTE.


Alumni Speak

A life-changing experience: I grew up in Hussainpur village, district Mohali, Punjab. After completing my schooling, I joined Punjabi University, Patiala, as a peon because I needed a job badly to support my family. I got in touch with teachers from the university who suggested that I should enroll in a bachelor’s level programme at the Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University.
I joined the BA course at the department and studied English, Punjabi, history, political science and religion. After completing my undergraduate degree with 50% marks, I took up the M.A programme in Punjabi followed by an M.Phil in the subject, which I passed with a first division. Now, I wish to pursue a Ph.D in Punjabi and have applied to the post of assistant professor at Punjabi University, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, or Chandigarh University. I have also cleared the UGC NET.

I would strongly recommend a distance learning degree to those who want to study while they are working. My experience studying at the Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University, Patiala, has been amazing. The study material is exhaustive and after reading it, you don’t feel the need to consult other books. The way the concepts are explained to students is very effective and to the point. The teachers are always there to guide you and there are other support systems in place such as the audio-video laboratories which facilitate learning.
Even the non-teaching staff is very co-operative and supportive. The department has totally changed my life. It proved to be God gift’s because I got inspired to improve my qualification and continue to learn – Teg Singh, BA, MA & M.Phil Punjabi, enrolled in Ph.D & applied for the post of Assistant Professor.

As told to Gauri Kohli

What’s on offer

Contact programmes

The department organises personal contact programmes for its students regularly.

Material available

Printed lessons are being supplemented with audio-video lessons which can be borrowed by the students from the department library


Programmes offered

BA; BCom; BBA; BCA; BLIS; BEd. The department also offers various diploma and certificate courses which can be pursued along with degree courses.
These include: Diploma in library science, diploma in HIV/AIDS counselling, diploma in Gurmat sangeet, diploma in divinity (Sri Guru Granth Sahib studies), Gurmat sangeet praveshika, Punjabi praveshika, gyani, certificate course in French, certificate course in German, Sri Guru Granth Sahib certificate course, certificate course in spoken English, certificate course in computer applications, certificate course in soft skills and personality development, Punjabi gyan, certificate course in Urdu, certificate course in Sanskrit.


Admissions

Tentative admission schedule 2012-13:

• Without late fee: August 29, 2012
• With late fee of Rs. 2000: September 9, 2012
• With late fee of Rs. 5000: October 10, 2012 (with the vice chancellor’s permission)
• Six-month certificate course in spoken English, certificate course in computer application, certificate course in soft skills and personality development
• Without late fee: October 1, 2012
• With late fee of Rs. 500: October 15, 2012

Exam centres

The department has several exam centres across Punjab.


Fees (approximate)

The university has a differential fee structure for students from within and outside the university and Punjab. The total annual programme fee for undergraduate courses ranges from Rs. 4460 to Rs. 9385.


Prospects after Department of Distance Education, Punjabi University

Many students after completing courses from the department get placed in various jobs. Many of them have joined the teaching profession, a few have joined insurance companies and a few have got employed in various administrative jobs and in various libraries. Some have also joined the media. Students have also found jobs abroad after completing their studies in Gurmat sangeet.

Straight from the head

Through distance education mode, our effort is to take education to the learner’s doorstep instead of compelling the student to throng the teaching institutions, Dr Tejinder Kaur, Head, Separtment of Distance Education, Punjabi University.

Source: Gauri Kohli, HT Education

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