Careers360 - Think higher education! DL Institutes with best course material, study centres..more

DL Institutes with best course material, study centres..more
From study centres to examinations - which is the best of the lot?
by Team Careers360
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THE Careers360-Yahoo! India Distance Learning (DL) survey 2011, has thrown light on several aspects which one should carefully consider before deciding to enrol for a programme. Which universities offer the best study material? Which universities are best for online material and support? All these questions and more get answered in the following 11 ranks based on varying parameters. With a robust sample size of 5000+ respondents, we have been able to extract meaningful conclusions from the data spliced university-wise and parameter-wise concurrently. Surprisingly, 8 of the 11 top slots are taken by IMT, Ghaziabad.

The only caveat in the results is that since the survey was conducted online, the respondents’ sample is skewed towards students who have regular access to the Internet. However, with Internet penetration increasing day by day, that shouldn’t be too much of a concern. Further, with lack of availability of objective data, the perception survey provides deep insights into the experience of the mot important stakeholder in Distance Learning, the student, which has otherwise been a black box.

Best Course Material
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	7.13
2	Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani	Pilani	7.09
3	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	7.01
4	Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	Pune	7.00
5	Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research	Mumbai	6.95
6	ICFAI	All locations	6.73
7	IGNOU	New Delhi	6.70
8	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	6.34
9	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	6.20
10	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	6.00
The course material from a Distance Learning Institute is perhaps the most valued component in the absence of regular contact. Lucidity, comprehensiveness and accuracy of information are the key desirable qualities. IMT Ghaziabad, specialising in the MBA course rules the roost here, closely followed by BITS Pilani and SMU.

Interaction levels
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.60
2	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	6.54
3	Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research	Mumbai	6.16
4	Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani	Pilani	6.09
5	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	6.06
6	Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	Pune	5.65
7	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	5.29
8	Amity School of Distance Learning	Noida	5.26
9	ICFAI	All locations	5.11
10	IGNOU	New Delhi	4.87
Interactivity through contact classes or online classes gives valuable opportunity to the student to clarify his doubts and get intellectually stimulated via contact with teachers and peers. Often, this becomes the key component in sustaining the interest in the ongoing programme. IMT, SMU, and Weligkar take the top honours here.

Exam conduct & result
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani	Pilani	7.67
2	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	7.47
3	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	7.33
4	Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research	Mumbai	7.21
5	Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	Pune	7.04
6	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	6.78
7	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	6.73
8	IGNOU	New Delhi	6.36
9	Madurai Kamaraj University	Madurai	6.09
10	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	6.08
Students are left in the lurch if the exams are not conducted on time or the results are delayed. Further, it is very important to conduct the exams in a fair and transparent manner while also ensuring proper security in the evaluation process. BITS Pilani and SMU seem to be doing the best job in this area.

Online support systems
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	7.13
2	Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani	Pilani	7.09
3	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	7.01
4	Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	Pune	7.00
5	Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research	Mumbai	6.95
6	ICFAI	All locations	6.73
7	IGNOU	New Delhi	6.70
8	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	6.34
9	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	6.20
10	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	6.00
Students are left in the lurch if the exams are not conducted on time or the results are delayed. Further, it is very important to conduct the exams in a fair and transparent manner while also ensuring proper security in the evaluation process. BITS Pilani and SMU seem to be doing the best job in this area.

Administrative Responses
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Birla Institute of Technology & Science - Pilani	Pilani	6.98
2	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	6.90
3	Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research	Mumbai	6.89
4	Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning	Pune	6.79
5	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.59
6	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	6.10
7	Madurai Kamaraj University	Madurai	5.74
8	Alagappa University	Karaikudi	5.40
9	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	5.37
10	Annalmalai University, Directorate of Distance Education	Annamalai Nagar	5.26
Any query regarding issues like delivery of material, exams being conducted, receipt of admit cards or conduct of classes can only be addressed if there is quick and timely response from the administrative department. This is an essential criteria to ensure a smooth learning experience. Private players have taken the lead here.

Teaching Assistance
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.44
2	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	5.99
3	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	5.61
4	Amity School of Distance Learning	Noida	5.33
5	Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology	Hisar	5.18
6	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	5.10
7	Kuvempu University	Gulbarga	5.03
8	IGNOU	New Delhi	4.87
9	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	4.83
10	Punjab Technical University	Tadong	4.65
Though all good institutes offer some coaching classes either through their study centres or the online mode (or both), very few actualy go that extra mile to ensure that it is a ‘class affair.’ IMT Ghaziabad has made good use of technology to offer live and pre-recorded classes by industry experts in both modes simultaneously

Faculty at study centre
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.31
2	Centre for Distance Education - Anna University	Chennai	5.73
3	Amity School of Distance Learning	Noida	5.70
4	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	5.42
5	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	5.22
6	IGNOU	New Delhi	4.90
7	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	4.86
8	Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology	Hisar	4.82
9	Kuvempu University	Gulbarga	4.77
10	Punjab Technical University	Tadong	4.56
Distance education is generally judged on quality of material but the contribution of faculty who guide you in the classes and remove your doubts cannot be undermined. The top two slots here also rest with IMT Ghaziabad and Anna University as in the previous ranking. Amity, Noida and SMU are other notable rankgetters.

Access of study centers
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.93
2	Anna University	Chennai	6.15
3	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	5.94
4	IGNOU	New Delhi	5.48
5	Amity School of Distance Learning	Noida	5.48
6	Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology	Hisar	5.46
7	Kuvempu University	Bangalore	5.33
8	Punjab Technical University	Jalandhar	4.85
9	Annalmalai University	Annamalai Nagar	4.77
10	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	4.75
Study centres are meant to reduce the ‘distance’ in distance learning. However, if they are few and far apart, the very reason of their existence is defeated and it becomes difficult for a student to visit them for attending classes or taking exams. IGNOU and Anna University share the top space here with IMT and SMU.

Study centre response time
Rank	University	Location	Score
1	Institute of Management Technology	Ghaziabad	6.25
2	Anna University	Chennai	6.06
3	Sikkim Manipal University	Tadong	5.76
4	Amity School of Distance Learning	Noida	5.33
5	Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology	Hisar	5.00
6	Bharathiar University	Coimbatore	4.97
7	Pondicherry University	Puducherry	4.78
8	IGNOU	New Delhi	4.75
9	Punjab Technical University	Jalandhar	4.67
10	Kuvempu University	Bangalore	4.67
Timely and effective response to one’s queries goes a long way in sustaining one’s interest in the course being pursued. Poor response leaves one frustrated and demotivated. While IMT Ghaziabad, Anna University and SMU have taken the lead here, IGNOU, the largest university is found at the 8th position.

Published on: August 02, 2011

12 Comments

Gayathri ICFAI | Feb 04, 2013

ICFAI University (Approved By UGC & DEC) has started admissions for EX MBA,MBA, etc FOR Free counseling contact Gayathri 8494900913 / 8095435967

tulsi | Mar 29, 2012

sir,i am doing B.SC from sikkim manipal university by distance learning . i am confused whether this university is recognized by ugc-aicte-dec joint committee or not. my friends saying degree of this university is not valid for govt jobs and getting admission in other college.i am confusing . plz publish all universities that are approved by joint committee.

Naresh Chandra Jha | Mar 07, 2012

sir, Iam doing B.COM from MDU by distance learning. I am confused about that the degree of MDU is valid or not..... Plz suggest me.... Regards Naresh

Gayathri ICFAI | Jan 03, 2012

Hi wish u happy new year, ICFAI University (Approved By UGC & DEC) has started admissions for EX MBA,MBA,MCA,CFA,BBA,BCA,etc FOR Free counseling contact Gayathri 9731119461

saurabh | Sep 16, 2011

I would like to pursue bba thru distance learning from sikkim manipal, i am confused about the recognition of the university for the same as lot of reports of it not being valid, can you please advise if it's safe to pursue bba from smu, also please advise if after completion of my degree the recognition is withdrawn my degree will be valid or nullfied ?

vishal | Sep 10, 2011

For admissions in ICFAI for MBA,MCA,CFA,BBA,BCA,etc contact admission officer on-8826329209

cqimal | Sep 05, 2011

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Jetsin | Sep 01, 2011

You're the one with the brnias here. I'm watching for your posts.

Agnelo | Aug 30, 2011

I want to pursue, MBA-IT - Distance Education from Sikkim Manipal , Is it worth or should i opt for other recognised university of PGDM, pls advise

karthi | Aug 24, 2011

Hi I thought of doing MBA from IGNOU or MS from BITS through distance education.Can you please through some light on these courses approval by the DEC/UGC/AICTE Joint commitee and is valid to apply for govt jobs e.tc.Because other than open universities,even bits courses are approved till 2008..Please answer me for this burning question

|msarma | Aug 05, 2011

Pankaj SMU is a DEC approved instituion. And BCA is not a professional course.So it need not be approved by the Joint committee. so rest assured your degree is valid

pankaj | Aug 05, 2011

sir,i am doing BCA from sikkim manipal university by distance learning . i am confused whether this university is recognized by ugc-aicte-dec joint committee or not. my friends saying degree of this university is not valid for govt jobs and getting admission in other college.i am confusing . plz publish all universities that are approved by joint committee.