The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Madurai News : Varsity admission may be a `click' away

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 02, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Varsity admission may be a `click' away

By Shastry V Mallady

MADURAI, MAY 1. Admission to a course in the distance mode of the Madurai Kamaraj University from anywhere in the country might just be a click away in a few months. It is now going to be mere hardware and software packages with the university embarking on an e-governance project of getting an `online admission system' in place at the earliest possible time for its distance education programmes. In the process, the MKU is attempting in southern Tamil Nadu a common practice, adopted in Western countries, of students being able to seek admission through online.

A feasibility study has been initiated to ascertain the requirements and components of having the online admission facility in the Distance Education Wing of the MKU. With this, students will be able to apply directly through a computer from any place "and it should be as simple as booking a railway ticket from home", university authorities told The Hindu yesterday.

The feasibility report is to be submitted in three months', based on which the implementation will be taken up. The Vice-Chancellor, P. K. Ponnuswamy, however, is cautious as he says, "I will ensure all precautionary steps in checking a candidate's bonafides".

"The discussion for initiating online admissions has gained momentum and the ultimate aim is to bring e-governance into the university," R. Murugesan, Dean, Academic Affairs, who is in-charge of the computerisation process, said.

To start with, the online admission process would cover the priority courses, which have a great demand, such as MBA, MCA, M. Phil. and M.Sc. courses. It would be extended to all courses, including undergraduate courses, later.

According to him, the online system is seriously explored where students can download the application form, furnish details and get confirmation of admission. The funds required for the project may not be a constraint as provisions have been made "and everything should be in place before next academic year (2005-06)". The final approval will come after the Syndicate gives clearance.

Dr. Murugesan said the university was taking up this path-breaking project following its success in computerising the admissions in the last two years. The next plan was to network all its centres in Tamil Nadu with the university. He said the automation process at the MKU had been successful and the idea of going online had originated from that success.

Hardware, high bandwidth, Internet connectivity, host server and safety measures would be taken up after the feasibility report was presented, he added.

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