DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

CHAPTER-I

 INTRODUCTION TO DISTANCE EDUCATION

 DEIFINITION OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

 DISTANCE EDUCATION

 HISTORY OF U.N.(AUTO) COLLEGE OF SC. & TECH.

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INTRODUCTION:

Distance education is an organised educational programme, often

accredited, where the learner is at a geographical and/or time distance from the
learning provider—the educational institution tutors and where all or much of
the communication between teachers and learners is conducted through
electronic or print mediums. To overcome the physical distance and build in
interaction, the provider may try to use the two-way potential of e.g., mailed
assignment marking, emails, telephone, tele and video conferencing, call- in
radio or TV, as well as prerecorded video or audio materials. It may also build
in face-to-face components such as bringing dispersed students in for occasional
tutored group meetings at a study centre or summer school. Conversely, the
central provider can send travelling tutors to the learners or enter into
agreements for locally-provided support (e.g., by a formal or community school
or university). An example would be a programme, offered by a national open
university, providing initial teacher training at a distance to unqualified school-
based teachers. The programme allows the teacher to remain in situ and the
chance to experiment with new practices in their immediate classrooms.
Distance education is a broader term both in terms of its denotation and
connotation. Depending upon the knowledge, perception and points of view,
different people have defined distance education in different ways. Therefore, it
is very difficult to arrive at a comprehensive definition. Definitions of Distance
Education A few definitions offered by different people on different aspects of
distance education. Wedemeyer has used the terms 'open learning', distance
education and independent study in his works. He defines independent study as
follows Independent study consists of various forms of teaching learning
arrangement, in which teachers and learners carryout their essential tasks and
responsibilities apart from one another communicating in a variety of ways. Its
purposes are to free on campus or internal learners from inappropriate class

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placing or pattern, to provide off campus or external learners with the

opportunity to continue learning in their own environments and developing in
all learners the capacity to carry on self-directed learning, the ultimate maturity
required of the educated person.

DEFINITION OF DISTANCE EDUCATION:

A few definitions offered by different people on different aspects of distance education.

Wedemeyer has used the terms 'open learning', distance education and
independent study in his works. He defines independent study as follows
Independent study consists of various forms of teaching learning arrangement,
in which teachers and learners carryout their essential tasks and responsibilities
apart from one another communicating in a variety of ways. Its purposes are to
free on campus or internal learners from inappropriate class placing or pattern,
to provide off campus or external learners with the opportunity to continue
learning in their own environments and developing in all learners the capacity to
carry on self-directed learning, the ultimate maturity required of the educated
person.

Moore, distance teaching may be defined as "The family of instructional

methods in which the teaching behaviours are performed apart from learning
behaviours, including those, that in a contiguous situation, would be performed
in the learner's presence. So, that communication between the teacher and
learner must be facilitated by print, electronic mechanical or other device."

Peters (1973), defines distance education as "A method of imparting knowledge,

skills and attitudes, which is rationalised by the application of division of
labour and organisational principle as well as by the extensive use of technical
media, especially for the purpose of reproducing high quality teaching material,

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which makes it possible to instruct great numbers of students at the same time
wherever they live. It is an industrialized form of teaching and learning."

Holmberg (1981), defines distance education as "The kind of education which

covers the various forms of study at all levels, which are not under continuous,
immediate supervision of tutor present with their study in lecture rooms on the
same premise, but which benefit from guidance and tuition of a tutorial
organization."

HISTORY OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

Distance education dates back to at least as early as 1728, when an

advertisement in the Boston Gazette promoted Caleb phillips. Teacher of the
new method of short hand, who sought students, who wanted to learn through
weekly mailed lessons. Firstly, Issac Pitman taught shorthand in Great Britain
via Correspondence in the 1840s. Distance education has a long history, but its
popularity and use has grown exponentially as more advanced technology has
become available. By 2008, online learning programmes were available in the
United States in 44 states at the K-12 level. The University of London was the
first university to offer distance learning degrees, establishing its external
programme in 1858. This programme is known as the university. of.,, London
International Programme and includes post graduate, undergraduate and
diploma degrees created by colleges, such as the London School Economics,
Royal Holloway and Goldsmiths.

In the United States, William Rainey Harper, first President of the

University of Chicago, developed the concept of extended education, whereby,
the research university had satellite colleges of education in the wider
community. In 1892, he also, encouraged the concept of correspondence school
courses to further promote education, an idea that was put into practice by
Columbia University.

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HISTORY OF U.N. AUTO COLLEGE OF SC. & TECH.

"Let us create history,

Let somebody else write it Netaji.

Nestled in the lap of eastern Odisha, the Udayanath Autonomous College

of Science & Technology, At- Prachi Jnanapitha, Po- Adaspur, Dist: Cuttack
has taken long strides to reach its destination a holistic approach to life through
meaningful education. The history of the college reflects the history of a
progressive rural area- the socio-economic and cultural life of the location and
the history of delivering true education to the common people. The college
owes its origin to 1982 when it made only a non-formal appearance in the name
of Prachi Mahavidyalaya under the roof of Prachi Academy in the vicinity with
Arts at the higher secondary level. Yet it was rendered rudderless owing to the
lack of patronage. Under the dynamic leadership of Shri Trilochan Kanungo,
former Member of Parliament-"(LS), educationist and social thinker of our
times and the generous and noble financial contribution made by the late
Udayanath Sahoo of the locality, the college managed to weather the
difficulties. Named after the patron as Udayanath College of Science &
Technology, the college was transferred to its own building at Prachi Jnanapitha
(the present site) on 3 December 1986. The other two streams of Science and
Commerce at the H.S. level were introduced and all the three streams were
accorded official recognition and affiliation together in 1987 Seated on a stretch
of 30 acres of land at Prachi Jnanapitha of Adaspur village, the college stands
on the holy river Prachi: close to Kenduli, the birth place of the renowned
classical poet JAYADEV.

The College started making a headway from its infancy by the concerted
effort and cooperation of some enthusiastic and magnanimous sons of the soil.
Our founder President Sj. Trilochan Kanungo who isa visionary has been the
kingpin in giving the master-stroke to take the college to such a height as to
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make it a trend-setter in the higher education sector of thestate. As the architect

of this leading college; he has taken up the onerous task of resource
mobilisation, advising the construction wing in the execution of the master plan
and monitoring it in the process. As an educationist he expedites the
introduction of.new academic programmes as suggested by the Academic
Council from time to time ensuring quality education. rounder Secretary Sri
Hansanath Sahoo, Dr. Br-ushaketu MohantY, Sri Binod Chandra Routray, Sri
Panchanan Kanungo, the late Raghunath Sahoo, Sri Madhusudan Mohapatra, Dr
Prasant Kumar Mishra, Sri Bipin behari Patra, the late Chakradhar Routray and
others vigorously contributed their might with a missionary zeal to - (its growth.
The establishment of U.N. College of Sc. & Tech at Adaspur has not only added
a new dimension to The aspirations of the people of the region but it has also
facilitated the spread of education to every corner of our state. The college has
created history for imparting high standard of teaching to -its pupils by a galaxy
of highly qualified and experienced teachers with the mission of achieving
academic excellence.

To fulfill the cherished dream of the people for higher education,

undergraduate classes were opened in Arts in 1991: Science in 1992 and
Commerce in 1993. Honours teaching facilities were introduced in Economics,
Political Science, History, Odia, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Botany and
Zoology in 1996, Accounting and Management in 2002; English and Education
in 2003; Psychology and Sanskrit in 2004; Philosophy in 2005: Library Science
and Computer Science in 2007. It has got the pride of being the only college in
the state having the teaching department of Women's Studies honours in Arts
since 2010, carrying the total number of honours teaching subjects to 19 stream-
wise 11 under Arts, 6 under science and 2 under Commerce at present Post
graduate teaching in Odia was started in 2009 adding a new chapter to the
academic history of the college: The Post Graduate teaching programme in

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Commerce was started in the academic session, 2011-12 to further Drtify the
flagship stream of the college. This apart, self-financing courses. EICA and
BBA were launched in 2008 and 2009 respectively to fulfill the need for
technical and job oriented education among the youths seeking higher
education_ Teaching in two other demanding subjects B.Sc. ITM and MFC, a
Post Graduate Programme has been started since 2010-11. The commandment
of a new year heralds the advent of some important scholastic achievements.

The college is affiliated to UTKAL UNIVERSITY and to the CHSE,

Odisha. It was included in 12 B and 2f under the UGC Act on 17 and 22
December 2003 respectively. The college was accredited B+ scoring 78.5%
marks by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) f
26.02.2006 for five years. The College merited to be accorded the coveted status
of AUTONOMY by the UGC in January 2009. The award of the status of
Autonomy is a great milestone in the glorifying history of the institution.

The massive infrastructure owned by the college is the cause of envy and
admiration. It has in its proud possession Arts Block, Science Block, Commerce
Block, Administrative Block, Academic Block and an imposing three storeyed
octagonal library building block .equipped with all modern facilities with Lord
Ganesh taking the centre stage on its ground floor, Prachi Gymkhana &
Stadium built over an area of 11 acres of land, 3 Gents Hostels, 2 Ladies
Hostels,. Principal's Quarters, Staff Quarters, Pump House, Cycle Shed,
Canteen etc add to the ever accumulating immovable assets of the college. The
college installed a 125 KVA DG set on 22.07.10 to ensure 24 hours supply of
electricity in the premises. The Saraswati temple in the premises was
qpnsecrated in a specially arranged religious ceremony by Sri Sri Prajnanandaji
Maharaj on the auspicuous occasion of 24 June 2010. The lush delicate gardens
and orchards as old as the college itself beautifies the landscape maintain
ecology and create an ambience congenial to exploiting its potential.

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The college has created a history in the conduct of examinations as fairly

as possible strictly pursuing- the prescribed rules. Monthly tests are held to
evaluate learners' performances on short term basis. Such co-curricular activities
as debates in English, Odia and Hindi and Spoken English classes are given
slots in the time-table. To, facilitate students' access to the study centre, time
slots are also allotted for all classes. The college has had 2 NCO Units - one for
boys and another for girls, 4 NSS Units 1 Rover Unit, 1 Ranger Unit and 2 YRC
Units engaged in welfare schemes. The college has the glory of having great
scholars as Principals; prominent among them were the late Prof Rajendra
Prasad Das, renowned historian end educationist and Prof. Durga Prasanna Das,
academician and administrator of repute. The college, over the years, has
established a distinctive culture of its own with smart, diligent end creative
students enjoying the splendor of a healthy, homely and disciplined study
atmosphere. Being only, a quarter century old, this college has been transformed
into a premier academic institution by its operational efficiency and student's
discipline. Having the cherished hope of metamorphosing itself 'into a Rural
University, the college has been 'set on a proven sustainable growth trajectory,
heavily drawing -students from every nook and cranny of the state. It has yet
miles to go to meet its set goal - Vision 2020 as projected by the apex policy
decision-maker Governing Body, in the Silver Jubilee year of the college.

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