Established in 1971, the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) runs 14 Distance Education Council-approved programmes. The syllabi, examinations and degrees of these programmes are the same as those of the colleges and departments of the University of Mumbai. The IDOL offers some unique programmes at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels such as MA (Avesta Pehlvi), BSc (nautical technology) and MA (education) – the first of their kind to be introduced in the state of Maharashtra.

The IDOL is a member of International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) and Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU). As a distance learning provider, IDOL is unique because the dropout rate is minimum and success rate of students appearing at university examinations is about 55%. 

There is a surge of about 7000 to 10,000 students seeking admissions to IDOL’s programmes. Every year, around 6000 students belonging to SC/ST/OBC and other reserved categories get the benefits of freeship and scholarships from the Government of Maharashtra.

The IDOL owns basic and advanced infrastructure. It has an independent library with 45,000 books and 22 journals equipped with Software for University Libraries. It has got a computer laboratory with 56 computers, VLC with Edusat and audiovisual cassettes. It has 28 laptops for research and development. The IDOL has developed 329 self-learning material books in Marathi and English.

The IDOL has a core faculty of eight members and four part-time coordinators from different disciplines. The faculty members have published 72 research papers, undertaken three minor research projects, two major research projects, authored 19 books, and edited a number of SLM books. The faculty members attended five orientation courses and three refresher courses. They have organised 24 workshops, seminars and conferences in the last five years. In the last five years, 3,51,954 students have taken admissions to the different courses at the IDOL.

Alumni Speak

A grandmom finds her dream course: I am a commerce and law graduate from Mumbai University and I am also a certificate associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers. Being interested in my religion, Zoroastrianism, and an active grandmother, I got the opportunity to attend Saturday classes in Avesta language conducted by the Bombay Parsi Panchayat. I attended these classes from 2001 to 2007 where I secured a distinction throughout.

They encouraged me to pursue higher studies through the Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL) of the Mumbai University as they offered master’s in Avesta and Pahlvi (very ancient Iranian languages). Our learning process was through reference materials (unlike other subjects where printed material as per IDOL course is available) laid down by the institute. This was a two-year course where, on completion, I stood first in my subject at IDOL and second in the entire MA batch held by the Mumbai University for which I was awarded merit certificates both by the Mumbai University and IDOL separately.

IDOL became an ideal platform of learning for me as I could continue with my work at home as well as apply my energies to the study. The concept of open and distant learning really encourages students, who do not have the scope or time to sit whole day through lectures in colleges, to pursue their studies and improve their education qualification in their subject of interest. The subjects offered by IDOL are so vast — including music, drama, languages and many other such allied subjects — which would be beyond the scope of regular colleges. The very subject of Avesta Pehlvi would be beyond the scope of any regular college – Pervin Wadia, MA in Avesta Pehlvi, Institute of Distance and Open Learning (IDOL), Mumbai University.

As told to Gauri Kohli

What’s on offer

Contact programmes

The institute organises guidance lectures under Personal Contact Programmes in certain subjects in Mumbai for students. Though the lectures are not compulsory, it is an attempt to provide guidance to students in solving their academic difficulties. These personal contact programmes are generally conducted one or two weeks before the scheduled dates of examination. Besides this, the institute conducts personal contact programmee lectures in various affiliated colleges for about three months in which students can get academic difficulties solved Counselling centres have been set up at the IDOL building. The institute also has audio-visual centres and some of its programmes are available through Edusat. University of Mumbai has recently introduced a community Radio MUST (Mumbai University Students Talk), set at frequency waves 107.8FM. It is located at Ranade Bhavan. It broadcasts educational programmes

Material available

Study material is the soul of the distance learner. IDOL provides maximum study material in Marathi and English. The study material is prepared in self-learning material format. The institute’s study material section provides syllabi copy to the students. Students can also access old question papers through the University of Mumbai website. While the print material is by and large complete in itself, some concepts and their applications have been explained through the audio and video programmes as well, to facilitate better comprehension and understanding. The AV centre has more than 100 video cassettes in the subjects of commerce and economics which are syllabi oriented/curriculum based. Audio-video cassettes are not supplied to students individually, but are made available for listening and viewing at the AV Centre of the institute.

Programmes offered

BA, BCom, BSc (IT), BSc (computer science), BSc (nautical technology). The institute offers post graduate programmes as well.

Exam and study centres

The institute has 64 personal contact programme centres in Mumbai and Thane

Admissions

Admissions begin in mid July and go on till mid September without late fee. Candidates can also apply between mid September and mid October with late fee of Rs. 50. The online admission process begins from mid July to mid September with late fee of Rs. 150 till mid October.

Fees (approximate)

The approximate fee for undergraduate programmes is Rs. 3200 including the cost of study material, exam fee, administrative fee and fee for personal contact programme lectures.

Prospects after IDOL

IDOL students have cleared the UGC NET/ SET examinations and the Civil Services exam, to name a few. Some of its students have gone abroad for their higher studies.

Source: Gauri Kohli, HT Education

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