Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), Mysuru, is a State Public University established by the act of State Legislature in 1992, and was brought into force on 1st June 1996. Ever since its establishment, KSOU has been pro-actively engaged in fulfilling the national objectives of higher education i.e., to achieve ACCESS, EQUITY, QUALITY, AFFORDABILITY and ACCOUNTABILITY.  A Pioneer and Premier Centre of Higher Education under Open and Distance Learning (ODL) system, KSOU was carved out of illustrious University of Mysore in 1996. Before becoming the university, KSOU was an Institute of Correspondence Courses and Continuing Education (ICC&CE) of the University of Mysore which was established in 1969. The motto of KSOU – “HIGHER EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE, EVERYWHERE”, promises to reach out to those unreached – to all those higher education aspirants. The Open University was established in pursuance of National Policy on Education, NPE-1986 on the recommendation of Central Education Advisory Board MHRD, Government of India. The working professionals, households, the disadvantaged sections of the society and people from backward regions, who cannot pursue education through ‘in-class’/conventional mode get new opportunities to learn through distance education mode.├oΓe¼ΓC╣ The Karnataka State is a leading state in the higher education sector with a GER of 25.3% (for 2018-19, AISHE), the role of KSOU is vital in enhancing the GER of the state to much higher level. The KSOU has created an excellent academic and administrative infrastructure, not only at its headquarters in Mysore, but also at its 21 regional centers across the state.├oΓe¼ΓC╣ Headed by His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka, who is the Ex-Officio Chancellor, while the Minister for Higher Education is the Ex-Officio Pro-Chancellor, and the Vice-Chancellor is the principal Academic and Executive officer of the university, the KSOU is a body corporate comprising of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, the members of BoM, Academic Council, Dean (Academic), Registrar (Evaluation), Finance officer among other officers of the university. The contribution of the KSOU for the ODL system is invaluable. With the entire State has its jurisdiction, KSOU has established 21 Regional Centers, in addition to recognizing a good number of affiliated Colleges as Study Centers across the State. Significant is the role of KSOU in enhancing the GER of the State. In terms of providing quality and relevant education, the role of KSOU is commendable. The Courses, Curriculum, Study Materials, Contact Classes, Method of Testing, Transparency in the conduct of Examination, Evaluation and announcement of results.├oΓe¼ΓC╣ The quality of SLMs, Radio talks, audio-video lecturers produced ‘in-house studios’ housed on the main campus have earned the admiration of a large community of distance learners across the Country as well as outside the Country. MBA, M. Com, Media studies, MA and Education Programs are some of the most sought-after courses among others. Admission to courses is done twice-a-year in the month of January and June as per the UGC-DEB guidelines, and the admission are done online. Access to E-content, E-access to SLM’s, Books and journals in the main library; on-line lectures are additional advantages to KSOU students. Establishment of Science labs, Audio-Video, virtual labs, Re-establishment of Radio station – ‘JNANA VANI’ are among the notable digital initiatives, the KSOU has launched since the re-recognition of KSOU by UGC from 2018-19. Well-known is KSOU for its students support services – establishment of Skill Development Center; Training Center for competitive Examinations, Campus Recruitment drives, online and off-line counselling; on-line admission; digital payments of all kinds of fee payment are some of the pro-student recent undertakings of the KSOU. Lodging facilities in Hostels for students coming for coaching classes, Skill development programs and Contact classes in a clean-green environment is yet another student support service. With state of the academic infrastructure; online and off-line student support, KSOU is a dream institution for distance learners

Vision

To be one among the top five Open Universities in India by providing quality higher education with emphasis on learners’ transformation through multidisciplinary, relevant, accessible and affordable academic programs, that equip the learners to face the emerging personal and societal challenges.

Mission

KSOU, as an outstanding Institution of academic excellence, to achieve the above vision in a decade aims:

•  To foster the open and distance learning environment that promotes excellence in teaching, research, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship;
•  To promote personal and professional success of learners in order to enable them to contribute for sustainable, scientific, technological and socio-economic growth at state, national and global level.
•  To meet various quality criteria established by University accreditation agencies and to be one among of top five Open Universities in terms of score.
•  To facilitate, strengthen and expand the network of Regional Centres and Learner Support Centres for providing equitable, flexible, accessible, and effective learning opportunities to contribute to national gross enrolment ratio.
•  To contribute to the national development by producing competitive workforce with requisite domain knowledge, skill, aptitude, competency and confidence with outstanding academic portfolios.